The DHL Group plans to invest around €1 trillion in expanding its infrastructure in India by 2030. This was announced by the Deutsche Post subsidiary. The investments will focus on key industrial sectors, in which DHL expects above-average growth in the coming years.
The multi-year investment program spans key sectors and reflects DHL’s confidence in India’s dynamic market development, emphasizes the company. It aligns with the integrator’s Strategy 2030 to accelerate sustainable growth in emerging markets that are on the verge of maturity. These include Mexico, the Gulf countries, Saudi Arabia, Sub-Saharan Africa and India. As far as the latter country is concerned, DHL’s strategic expansion focuses on four industrial sectors: life sciences + healthcare, new energy, e-commerce, and digitalization.
Cluster policy
“We concentrate our investments on regional clusters that already exist,” illustrates DHL spokesperson, Sabine Hartmann, when asked by Cargo Forwarder Global. For instance, in Bhiwandi, in the state of Maharashtra, where DHL Supply Chain is setting up its first health logistics hub in India. In neighboring New Delhi, DHL Express India is building its first automatic sorting center for packages and parcels. Electric Vehicle (EV) and Battery Logistics Centers of Excellence (COE) will be erected in Mumbai and Chennai respectively, and in Indore, located in the state of Madhya Pradesh, an additional DHL IT service center is to be built – its fifth in India. Last, but not least, DHL intends to build a low-emission integrated ground hub for Blue Dart door-to-door deliveries. This will happen in the northern Indian state of Haryana, adjacent to the state capital New Delhi.
Reservoir of qualified manpower
“Global trade is facing headwinds, but we remain confident in India’s dynamic market. With our investment, we are expanding reliable and more sustainable logistics solutions for our customers in India. The country’s diversification strategy and business-friendly policies provide a solid foundation for long-term investments,” stated Tobias Meyer, CEO of DHL Group, explaining the financial and infrastructural decision.
Global technological hub
Its press release further emphasizes that India is also emerging as a global technology hub for DHL Group, where 1,300+ digital and logistics experts are listed on the company’s payroll. The new IT Services Center and training academy in Indore will equip employees with skills in automation and AI, reinforcing DHL’s digitalization program and strategic ambitions.
Strategy 2030 is driven by sustainability and digitalization
As repeatedly publicized, DHL Group is committed to reducing CO₂ emissions to 29 million metric tons by 2030, and to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. In India, this includes fleet electrification, low-emission facilities, and the GoGreen Plus program, which enables more sustainable shipping through renewable fuels and electric vehicles.
The impact of the massive investments on air freight transport by DHL and its partners to and from India, as well as on the integrator’s global flight network, cannot yet be precisely predicted, a spokesperson answered to a question raised by CFG.
According to DHL’s Global Connectedness Tracker, the average distance of goods trade in India is expected to reach 6,190 kilometers in 2025 (2024: 6,090 kilometers). This reflects India’s increasing trade with 24 countries across Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Currently, DHL’s global flight network comprises 220 countries.
