Global logistics provider Rhenus Group announced that it is increasing its investment into a network of strategic gateways across Southeast Asia.
Despite weaker external demand, elevated tariffs and policy uncertainty, Asia is expected to remain the biggest driver of global growth in 2025 and 2026. The company cited data from the International Air Transport Association, which indicates that as of September 2025 air freight volumes in the Europe/Asia corridor grew 12.4% year-on-year.
“Southeast Asia is a focus growth area for Air Freight in Rhenus. The gateways are at the centre of the company’s latest expansion plans, and go beyond delivering the global promise of reliable, customer-centric logistics solutions,” said Chris Bode, vice president global air freight at Rhenus Air & Ocean.
This year, Rhenus has set up two air freight gateways in Singapore and Thailand (Bangkok) to optimise cargo flows across Southeast Asia and with global trade lanes.
The Singapore hub handles inbound cargo from Asia or Oceania, and outbound cargo to the Americas. Bangkok manages outbound cargo to Europe while also serving as a multi-modal hub to enhance Intra-Asia trade capabilities through regional air freight and cross-border trucking.
Both now hubs complement Rhenus’ existing Malaysia gateway in Kuala Lumpur, which manages inbound cargo from Europe and outbound cargo to Oceania.
“With recent global developments, including the China +1 strategy, more businesses are set to include the Southeast Asian region as an increasingly important piece of their global logistics plans,” explained Joachim Hanssen, CEO APAC at Rhenus Air & Ocean.
“We are confident that our strategic plans to grow our capabilities in this region, by enhancing resilience and operational agility, will position us as a preferred partner to meet evolving regional and global trade needs.”
The three operational gateways offer flexibility for phased expansions. Additional Rhenus said it will continue to identify strategic investment opportunities in Southeast Asia and the overall APAC region.
