DSV is expanding its Air ThermoDirect temperature-controlled air freight network with a new direct connection between Luxembourg and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), strengthening its capabilities for pharmaceutical and other temperature-sensitive cargo. The new link forms part of DSV’s wider strategy to improve healthcare logistics connectivity between Europe and Asia.
The service will operate with multiple departures on dedicated freighter aircraft, giving DSV greater control over scheduling, routing and cargo handling. The carrier said this setup is designed to provide more reliable transport for critical healthcare supply chains and reduce potential disruptions associated with multiple handling points.
Shanghai Pudong is a major hub for temperature-controlled pharmaceutical shipments, and DSV’s expanded presence at the airport will support both inbound and outbound pharmaceutical flows between China and international markets. The company is also planning additional connections to the United States as it continues to expand the network.
The Shanghai operation is supported by DSV’s partnership with Eastern Air Logistics (EAL), which provides specialised ground-handling facilities at Shanghai. China Eastern Logistics Cold Chain Ltd. will also provide dedicated cold-chain expertise and infrastructure for the operation.
A key element of the Air ThermoDirect solution is its use of modular thermal packaging and phase-change materials, reducing reliance on conventional active containers and passive packaging. DSV says the approach offers a more flexible and scalable solution while maintaining the temperature requirements needed for pharmaceutical shipments.
The service is designed around DSV’s broader cold-chain offering, which includes end-to-end temperature control, GxP-compliant handling, real-time monitoring, specialised ground operations and lane-risk assessment. These capabilities are aimed at protecting the thermal integrity of sensitive products throughout transportation and storage.
The new Luxembourg–Shanghai link strengthens DSV’s existing AirDirect network, which already includes connections between Shanghai and major hubs such as Frankfurt and Chicago, as well as several other Asia-Europe and Asia-US routes.
The expansion comes amid growing demand for dependable logistics solutions for pharmaceuticals, biopharmaceuticals and other healthcare products, where temperature excursions can threaten product quality. By adding direct Shanghai connectivity to its dedicated temperature-controlled network, DSV aims to provide customers with greater capacity, control and resilience on an important Europe-Asia trade lane.