Rhenus Group is strengthening its air freight presence in Southeast Asia to support global trade flows as manufacturers increasingly adopt the "China+1" strategy, reports Hamburg's Cargo Forwarder Global.

The company has opened new air freight gateways in Singapore and Bangkok, complementing its Kuala Lumpur hub. These facilities optimize cargo flows across Southeast Asia and major global corridors, offering services such as door-to-door transport, customs clearance, consolidation and value-added solutions.

Kuala Lumpur focuses on inbound cargo from Europe and outbound shipments to Oceania. Singapore handles inbound freight from Asia and Oceania and outbound to the Americas, while Bangkok manages outbound cargo to Europe and serves as a multimodal hub for intra-Asia trade.

Rhenus has introduced digital tools including real-time tracking and paperless documentation, alongside sustainability measures such as electric vehicles for local delivery and low-emission transport options.

Chris Bode, vice president Global Air Freight, said Southeast Asia is a growth focus for Rhenus, with gateways designed for scalability and integrating digital and sustainable logistics solutions to provide flexibility and efficiency.

Joachim Hanssen, CEO of APAC, noted that global developments, including the China+1 strategy, are driving businesses to prioritize Southeast Asia in logistics plans. He said Rhenus remains committed to supporting customers in these fast-growing markets by enhancing resilience and operational agility.

The company expects Asia to contribute about 60 per cent of global trade growth in 2025 and 2026, despite challenges such as weaker external demand and tariffs.