DHL Express modernizes and delivers electrically in Berlin

The location in Berlin is part of a comprehensive infrastructure program through which DHL Express is investing in organic growth, higher efficiency, and the improvement of its CO2 balance across Germany. DHL Express will also deliver to its customers there with 61 fully electric vehicles. A new modern station has been created to handle the continuously increasing shipment volumes.

(Bonn) DHL Express has invested around 31 million euros in a new station in Berlin Tempelhof as part of its extensive nationwide infrastructure program. The new building has recently commenced operations and, with its state-of-the-art sorting facilities, is geared towards further growth in shipment volumes and, through the use of environmentally friendly technologies, also towards the new sustainability goals of Deutsche Post DHL Group. To respond to the continuously increasing demand for national and international express shipments, the new location now offers operational and administrative space totaling 7,000 m². In addition, the company is committed to CO₂-free delivery in the streets of Berlin and will deliver to its customers there with 61 fully electric vehicles.

Logistics and Sustainability Go Hand in Hand

“We firmly believe that logistics and sustainability must go hand in hand,” says Markus Reckling, CEO of DHL Express Germany. “This is more true than ever, as the changed purchasing behavior of consumers and companies due to the Covid-19 pandemic leads to continuously growing shipment volumes. We are well equipped for this growth thanks to our investments in state-of-the-art technology and fully electric delivery vehicles. This connects Berlin even better with the world and, above all, in a more environmentally friendly way.”

The new Berlin station is equipped with a state-of-the-art sorting system with an integrated measuring and weighing system that can process 6,000 packages per hour for shipping to over 220 countries and territories worldwide. In addition, the new building features four so-called PUD fingers (“Pick-up and Delivery”) for the direct loading and unloading of delivery vehicles. This significantly facilitates the loading process for couriers, as express shipments are automatically transported via the sorting system to the corresponding gate, where couriers can load them directly and in a back-friendly manner into their vehicles. The electric transporters used are eSprinters from Mercedes-Benz, which are particularly well-suited for delivering large shipment volumes in the city center of Berlin with a cargo space volume of 11 m³.

Significant CO2 Savings

Approximately 350 employees at the location benefit from ergonomic workplaces in the office and in the hall, as well as from modernly equipped social rooms. Furthermore, energy-saving materials were prioritized in the planning of the building, for example, the entire lighting of the buildings uses the latest LED technology. A photovoltaic system that provides 100 kW peak for the operation of building technology, servers, and computers has already been installed and will be put into operation shortly. The DHL Express station meets all safety requirements of the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA). Therefore, this location of the company will also receive the globally recognized TAPA Class A certification as the highest security level in air transport.

The location in Berlin is part of a comprehensive infrastructure program through which DHL Express is investing over 100 million euros in organic growth, higher efficiency, and the improvement of its CO₂ balance across Germany – including cities such as Munich, Dortmund, and Bielefeld.

For nearly comprehensive environmentally friendly delivery, Deutsche Post DHL Group is now deploying over 290 fully electric vehicles (StreetScooter and eSprinter) as well as over 2,000 bicycles, e-bikes, and e-trikes in Berlin, thus saving around 1,000 tons of CO₂ per year alone in the federal capital.

Photo: © DHL