DHL Expands Cold Chain Logistics for Life Sciences & Healthcare

DHL Group is expanding its Life Sciences & Healthcare logistics capabilities with a larger, dedicated Airfreight Cold Chain Network, an initiative aimed at transforming how temperature-sensitive medicines, vaccines, pharmaceutical products, and advanced cell and gene therapies move globally. The enhanced network is designed to provide end-to-end visibility for highly sensitive healthcare shipments while meeting the increasingly complex logistics demands of the world’s largest healthcare and pharmaceutical companies.

“Life sciences and healthcare companies expect cold chain solutions that are reliable, compliant and transparent from end to end,” said Oscar de Bok, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding, Freight. “At the same time, they are seeking ways to streamline supply chains and reduce costs.”

The initial phase links key DHL hubs, including Brussels (BRU) and Cincinnati (CVG), with additional lanes planned across Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Latin America. The BRU–CVG corridor connects the U.S. Midwest, home to major pharmaceutical operations, directly with one of Europe’s leading life sciences ecosystems. In Brussels, operations are supported by 45,000 square meters of pharma-dedicated space at BRUcargo.

To anchor the expansion, DHL has deployed a dedicated Boeing 777 freighter on the Brussels-to-Cincinnati route. The aircraft’s fixed routing strengthens reliability and reinforces the strict temperature-control standards required for sensitive healthcare shipments.