Global logistics provider Rhenus Group has strengthened its air freight capabilities in Southeast Asia with expanded investment across key regional gateways. The move comes as global manufacturers increasingly adopt China+1 strategies, driving higher cargo volumes and greater demand for resilient, flexible, and cost-efficient logistics solutions.

Asia is expected to remain the biggest contributor to global economic expansion, accounting for roughly 60 per cent of global growth in 2025 and 2026. Shifting trade flows are evident in air freight patterns, with IATA reporting 12.4 per cent year-on-year growth on the Europe–Asia corridor as of September 2025. Trade between China and ASEAN also rose 9.6 per cent year-on-year, underscoring the region’s growing importance as a sourcing and distribution hub.

Chris Bode, Vice-President Global Air Freight at Rhenus Air & Ocean, said Southeast Asia is a core growth market for the company. He noted that the newly established gateways integrate scalable infrastructure, digital tools, and sustainable logistics practices to provide global customers with enhanced flexibility and operational efficiency.

In 2025, Rhenus established air freight gateways in Singapore and Bangkok, complementing its existing hub in Kuala Lumpur. Together, these three strategic gateways are designed to optimise cargo flows and strengthen the company’s presence across key global freight corridors. Their functions include:

Kuala Lumpur: Supports inbound cargo from Europe and outbound shipments to Oceania.

Singapore: Manages inbound cargo from Asia and Oceania and outbound cargo to the Americas.

Bangkok: Handles outbound shipments to Europe and serves as a multimodal hub enhancing intra-Asia trade through air freight and cross-border trucking.

All three gateways provide door-to-door services, customs clearance, cargo consolidation, and value-added solutions. Digital platforms, real-time tracking, and streamlined documentation support operational efficiency, while sustainability measures—such as electric vehicles for pre-carriage and optimised routing—are being embedded across operations.

Joachim Hanssen, CEO APAC, Rhenus Air & Ocean, said that Southeast Asia is becoming a critical component of global supply chains as businesses diversify their logistics networks. He added that Rhenus’ expanded capabilities will enhance resilience and agility, positioning the company as a preferred logistics partner in the region.

Rhenus plans to continue identifying strategic investment opportunities across Southeast Asia and the wider APAC region as part of its long-term commitment to supporting global trade.