DHL Group announced a major expansion of its North America data center logistics infrastructure, adding 10 dedicated warehouse sites totaling more than 7 million square feet of capacity. The facilities are expected to go live in 2026 and are designed to support hyperscale and colocation data center operators as global demand for AI and cloud infrastructure accelerates.
The expansion reflects a broader surge in data center construction, driven by increasing investment in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. DHL Supply Chain said the new sites will provide specialized logistics services tailored to the unique requirements of data center equipment, including white-glove handling, rack configuration, and secure transportation of sensitive and high-value IT hardware.
The company emphasized that these services are designed to reduce complexity at construction sites by shifting integration and testing work into controlled warehouse environments. This approach is intended to improve efficiency, minimize installation delays, and protect critical infrastructure components during transport and deployment.
DHL also highlighted the importance of its integrated global network, noting that many data center components originate in international manufacturing hubs and require coordinated multimodal transportation. The expansion leverages DHL’s Global Forwarding capabilities, including air, ocean, and specialized freight solutions, to ensure timely and secure delivery across complex supply chains.
The announcement follows research commissioned by DHL indicating strong demand for consolidated logistics solutions in the data center sector. The survey found that a majority of operators prefer a single end-to-end logistics partner, though fewer currently have such relationships in place, pointing to an opportunity for providers offering integrated services.
DHL noted that North America represents a key market for this expansion, accounting for more than 40% of the world’s data centers. The company added that additional capacity investments are planned in other regions as part of a broader global strategy to support the rapid buildout of digital infrastructure.
KEY QUOTES:
“Hyperscalers are creating the digital backbone of the AI era, and they are doing so at extraordinary speed. Our expanded North America footprint is purpose-built to match that pace, from high-security warehousing and configuration services to white-glove handling and 24/7 service-logistics readiness. Combined with deep integration across DHL divisions, we offer a single accountable partner that connects global supply flows with precise on-the-ground execution. That’s what keeps large-scale data center projects on schedule and resilient. And this marks only the beginning of our group-wide expansion in this fast-growing sector. North America, home to more than 40% of the world’s data centers, is a first major step, with additional regions already scheduled for further capacity upgrades.”
Hendrik Venter, Global CEO, DHL Supply Chain
“Data center logistics crosses oceans, borders, and regulatory regimes. Whether it’s graphics processing units (GPUs), the high-performance processors that power modern AI models, moving by air, power modules by ocean, or out-of-gauge components transported by engineered road solutions to remote build sites, customers depend on synchronized, secure, and time-critical execution. With our experts in Industrial Projects, dedicated charter capacity, and multimodal routing, we keep these high-value shipments on schedule end-to-end. The combination of scale, sensitivity, and speed makes this one of the most demanding global supply chains, and it is exactly where tight coordination across DHL’s portfolio of businesses becomes a real advantage for customers racing to bring new capacity online.”
Oscar de Bok, Global CEO, DHL Global Forwarding, Freight
