DHL Express unveils new Melbourne to NZ direct air freight service

Logistics giant DHL Express has commenced operation of its first direct air freight service connecting Melbourne to the New Zealand cities of Auckland and Christchurch. The dedicated service is set to provide a faster connection between the cities amid growing demand for time definite international services.

Operating five services a week, the dedicated freighter can carry up to 19 tonnes of freight per trip .

According to DHL, the service has the fastest delivery time for shipments in the express industry, providing a shipment transit time of just one day.

The service is also claimed to have the industry’s best shipment collection time, where businesses can book in their shipments for courier pick-up later in the business day. For example, the cut-off time for shipment collection in the Melbourne CBD area is 6.00pm, which is an hour later than the current market offering.

“We are pleased to launch this new dedicated freighter service to further connect Australian and New Zealand businesses,” said Gary Edstein, CEO and Senior Vice President, DHL Express Oceania.

Edstein continued that with its reliable and fast transit time, the service will bring the two countries closer together and enable greater efficiencies by reducing supply chain costs and easing traditional barriers to market entry for small businesses, such as the need for in-country warehousing and distribution centres.

In the 12 months to date, Edstein said they have experienced Melbourne to New Zealand shipment volumes grow at a rate of 49% and this service reaffirms their commitment to supporting trade across the Tasman.

“The Victorian Government welcomes DHL Express’ commitment to this new service which will strengthen the connection between Victorian and New Zealand businesses,” said Martin Pakula, Victorian Minister for Industry Support and Recovery.

Pakula said this new dedicated route will support business growth across the state, with faster delivery and more efficient freight times for trans-Tasman trade.

The service further bolsters DHL’s existing trans-Tasman express delivery capabilities, supporting the upgraded Auckland to Sydney Boeing 767-300F freighter service launched in 2018.

DHL’s latest trans-Tasman investment follows the AU$20 million (€14 million) infrastructure upgrade to the company’s Melbourne Gateway facility in 2015, and the NZ$15.3 million (€9.9 million) upgrade to its Auckland Gateway facility in 2016.

Source: DHL Australia