Area Development
DHL unveiled its new 140,000 square foot processing hub and airline facility at the Miami International Airport, an investment estimated at approximately $21 million to meet its growing shipping needs to and from Latin America.

The new facility at 5815 N.W. 18th Street in Miami, Florida, will serve as a hub for processing DHL shipments from all over the world to and from Latin America and the Caribbean. DHL will also provide air cargo and charter services from the facility to all of Latin America, Mexico and the Caribbean.

New conveyor systems, additional space for DHL operations and U.S. Customs processing, extra handling and storage space for dry and perishable goods, along with other enhancements like upgraded shipment scanning technology will enable quicker handling and improved shipment visibility, the company said.

“The expansion of our operations at Miami International Airport is part of our long-term investment to support market growth in import and export volumes along the U.S.-Latin America trade lane,” said Ian Clough, CEO of DHL Express U.S. “This investment, which surpasses $20M, will bring immediate benefits for our customers, who will experience increased speed, reliability, capacity and connectivity for their international shipments.”

Over the last decade, total U.S. merchandise trade, exports plus imports, with Latin America grew 82 percent, the company said. To ensure DHL is fully prepared for the continued growth in international trade, it moved to a larger space at the airport while creating a state-of-the art facility capable of significantly improving shipment handling times. The new Miami hub and airline facility investment is one of many initiatives DHL has undertaken to improve its international network efficiencies and connectivity system-wide. DHL is also near completion of a $47 million expansion of its regional hub at the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky airport.

DHL is participating in initiatives initiated by the federal government to create jobs by increasing international exports. The logistics company said it did plan to hire additional employees.