IFEZ Journal

DHL Incheon Gateway Expansion 

to Significantly Strengthen 

IFEZ’s Air Logistics Competitiveness

DHL Korea, a global logistics company, has expanded its Incheon Gateway. By tripling the area of the existing gateway,

this will shorten the cargo-handling speed by more than 30 minutes.

The Largest Cargo Terminal in the Asia-Pacific Region

DHL Korea completed the Incheon Gateway (a cargo terminal) expansion project and began operations. As Korea’s trade and express delivery volume to Asia-Pacific countries increased, the company decided to expand its cargo terminal in 2019 by investing KRW 175 billion. The construction began in September 2020 and was completed within three years. The new gateway’s total area, consisting of four floors above ground, has nearly tripled from 19,946 to 59,248 ㎡.

DHL Incheon Gateway, the largest cargo terminal in the Asia-Pacific region, boasts cutting-edge technology. DHL Korea further enhanced its logistics-process capabilities by increasing the number of automatic X-ray systems (from nine to 19) for inspecting cargo and by extending the conveyor-belt length from 1 to 5.5 km. As a result, the amount of load handled per hour increased from 8,100 to 28,400, while the delivery time for imported goods was shortened by more than 30 minutes. This gateway is also equipped with eco-friendly infrastructure facilities. As a first among Incheon International Airport’s cargo terminals, the gateway introduced a 1MW solar power generation facility for the entire upper area of the building (5,700 ㎡). This facility covers approximately 30% of the power consumption, thereby reducing annual carbon emissions by about 650 tons.

Strengthening IFEZ’s Aviation Logistics Competitiveness

In the future, DHL Incheon Gateway will serve as a critical logistics facility connecting DHL hubs and gateways worldwide with seven private jets and 40 commercial aircraft daily. With the opening of the expanded Incheon Gateway, IFEZ’s competitiveness in the aviation logistics industry has been further strengthened. In particular, as rapidly increasing cargo volumes, including DHL’s transshipment cargo, can be handled smoothly, this gateway will also significantly enhance the competitiveness of air logistics in the airport hinterland logistics complex within IFEZ, attracting additional attention as a global cargo hub.

To attract new investments, such as the expansion of DHL Korea’s gateway, IFEZ has worked with companies to actively resolve difficulties, such as with land-related permits within the airport logistics complex. Han Byung-koo, CEO of DHL Korea, said, “Since the opening of the Incheon Gateway in 2009, import and export volumes have increased by more than 90%, and this expansion will greatly help us fulfill our role as an Asian logistics hub.” Meanwhile, IFEZ Commissioner Kim Jin-yong said, “We will strive to secure IFEZ’s leap forward as a global logistics hub by attracting more global logistics companies in addition to DHL Incheon Gateway.”

Location In Incheon International Airport Cargo Terminal (3246-29, Unseo-dong, Jung-gu)

Area 59,248㎡ (4 floors above ground)

Period 2019 – 2023

Budget About KRW  175billion