DHL, the world’s leading logistics provider, has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to Malaysia through its Strategy 2030 roadmap, placing Life Sciences and Healthcare (LSHC) at the forefront of its growth priorities. Recognising Malaysia’s increasing prominence as a hub for biopharmaceutical innovation and medical technology manufacturing, DHL is deepening its investments and operational capabilities to accelerate sector-specific logistics solutions.

Backed by over five decades of presence in Malaysia and a workforce of more than 4,500, DHL’s four divisions – Express, Global Forwarding, Supply Chain, and eCommerce – are well-positioned to support the nation's ambitions in healthcare resilience, trade expansion, and sustainable supply chains.

Fueling Malaysia’s Rise as a Life Sciences & Healthcare Hub

Malaysia has emerged as a preferred destination for top-tier medical device manufacturers, with 10 of the world’s largest companies establishing local operations. This strategic shift from traditional glove production to advanced devices has strengthened the country’s export portfolio, presenting a new frontier for DHL’s specialised logistics services.

“Malaysia is evolving rapidly in the global LSHC ecosystem,” said Christopher Lim, Managing Director of DHL Global Forwarding Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei. “We are scaling up our cold chain, clinical trial logistics, and pharmaceutical shipping services to match the innovation trajectory of our customers. Our global infrastructure, trained specialists, and validated IT platforms ensure complete compliance and integrity at every step of the supply chain.”

DHL’s capabilities in Malaysia span end-to-end cold chain logistics, including:

• A Good Distribution Practice-compliant cold room at Kuala Lumpur International Airport – the only one of its kind at the location

• Supply chain solutions for major global medical device manufacturers through DHL Supply Chain

• Expedited medical delivery services via DHL Express’s WMX (Medical Express)

• Safe, direct-to-patient delivery enabled by DHL eCommerce, supporting local healthtech players like Esyms

In 2025, DHL announced a €500 million investment in Life Sciences infrastructure across Asia Pacific, including 300,000 square metres of fully compliant storage in 15 countries – a move that reinforces its regional logistics leadership.

Empowering Innovation with Infrastructure and Expertise

DHL’s ongoing expansion in Malaysia includes:

• The Kuala Lumpur Gateway, launched in 2024, representing the company’s largest local Express investment at €60 million (MYR 300 million)

• A €131 million (MYR 655 million) investment plan by DHL Supply Chain for infrastructure, warehousing, and sustainability through 2028

• Cold chain solutions tailored for biopharma and clinical trials, enabling reliable delivery from manufacturing sites to research labs and hospitals

“Our deep-rooted expertise in life sciences logistics is aligned with Malaysia’s ambition to become a regional leader in medtech and biopharma,” said Julian Neo, Managing Director of DHL Express Malaysia and Brunei. “From regulatory compliance to patient-centric delivery, we provide the infrastructure and reliability our partners require.”

Towards a Sustainable, Patient-Centric Logistics Future

DHL is also pioneering sustainable logistics in Malaysia. As the first logistics company to introduce electric vans locally in 2022, DHL Express now operates a fleet of 74 electric vans and 9 electric scooters, targeting 66% fleet electrification by 2030.

Furthermore, through its GoGreen Plus programme, DHL enables customers to reduce Scope 3 emissions using sustainable aviation and marine fuels. More than 90,000 customers in Asia Pacific have already embraced this low-carbon option.

“As the Life Sciences and Healthcare industry continues to grow, so does the demand for environmentally responsible logistics,” added Neo. “Our solutions are designed to serve both business and societal goals—ensuring medicines and medical technologies reach people swiftly, safely, and sustainably.”

Malaysia: A Strategic Pillar in DHL’s Strategy 2030

As one of DHL’s 20 identified high-growth markets, Malaysia is integral to the company’s Strategy 2030 – a roadmap that focuses on enabling cross-border trade, sector-specific logistics innovation, and climate-conscious supply chains.

“Life Sciences and Healthcare logistics is no longer just about transportation—it’s about partnerships, precision, and purpose,” concluded Mario Lorenz, Managing Director of DHL Supply Chain Malaysia. “With Malaysia’s ecosystem evolving in sync with global health demands, DHL stands ready to deliver the future of healthcare logistics.”