DHL Supply Chain, DB Schenker and Ceva head the top 10 APAC traditional logistics companies, with project44, vCargo and Freightwalla topping new-tech providers
The APAC region is at the forefront of the global e-commerce market. It has a large, young tech-savvy population and an ever-growing ecosystem of SMEs that are embracing e-commerce to maximise business opportunities. Contract logistics offers such businesses advanced tech solutions, reduced risk, and scalability.
The region has also become a driving force in supply chain transformation, with a great deal of capital being sunk into the development of new-generation logistics facilities.
The rapid growth of e-commerce has also resulted in high demand for warehousing space, and operators are investing heavily in secure warehouses in strategic locations that allow them to reduce delivery times.
The prominent players in the market are the traditional logistics giants, including DHL, DB Schenker, Ceva Logistics, Kuehne + Nagel, DSV, and Geodis.
But there are differentiated products and services for those looking for logistics solutions in the APAC region, and so a number of digital logistics solutions providers, such as project44 and Freightwalla, have also been included.
Top APAC logistics firms:
1. DHL Supply Chain
DHL Supply Chain is the biggest contract logistics specialist on the planet, combining global and local knowledge to create customised logistics solutions covering warehousing, transportation and integrated services. DHL Supply Chain provides freight transportation and logistic services, offering export, import, warehousing, consulting, air freight, ocean freight, and other transportation services.
In May 2020 DHL Supply Chain announced a push for growth in the automotive, engineering and manufacturing sectors in Asia Pacific.
2. DB Schenker
Schenker is a German logistics company, and a subsidiary of Deutsche Bahn, the German railway company. It is responsible for land, sea, and air transport and contract logistics. Globally it has around 24,500 employees in 750 locations, and warehouses across 50 countries. It has a strong APAC presence.
3. Ceva Logistics
Ceva is a leading non-asset supply chain management company and has 44,000 employees in 170 countries. It is expanding aggressively in the APAC region. In May 2020 it grew its presence in Vietnam, with a new logistics branch office in Hanoi. This handles the full range of supply chain and logistics services, including air freight and ocean freight, contract logistics, warehousing and distribution, local transportation and other domestic value-added services.
4. Geodis
Geodis is a global freight management and logistics provider. It manages sea and air cargo across five continents. It is expanding its commitment to the logistics demands of the oil and gas industries. In addition to existing hubs in Houston and Vitrolles (near Marseille), the company recently opened a third hub in Singapore. Two more – in Antwerp and Dubai – are nearing completion.
5. DSV
Founded in 1976, DSV began life in a small town in Denmark, having been founded by 10 owner-operated hauliers. Since then, it has become a world-leading provider and manager of supply chain solutions. Being a freight forwarder, DSV does not own or operate transportation equipment. The transportation of goods is conducted via its global network of partners and subcontractors.
DSV’s operations are split into three divisions: air and sea freight, road transportation and 3PL solutions.
6. Kuehne + Nagel
Operating for over 130 years, Kuehne+Nagel is a world leading logistics company with expertise in sea, air, road and contact logistics. August Kuehne and Friedrich Nagel founded their freight forwarding company in Bremen, Germany.
Since then, Kuehne+Nagel has evolved from a traditional shipping company to a global logistics partner that offers highly specialised solutions for major industries worldwide. Kuehne+Nagel is headquartered in Switzerland, and has a presence all over the world, including in APAC.
7. Adani Group
The Adani Group is an integrated business conglomerate based in India that comprises six companies with combined revenues of US$13 billionn. Founded in 1988, Adani has become a global integrated infrastructure player in verticals including resources, logistics, energy and agriculture. Adani has also made inroads into the agri-infrastructure business by setting up grain storage silos and cold storage facilities.
In May 2021 Adani opened its regional headquarters office in Singapore, with focus on the energy, infrastructure and technology portfolios
8. project44
project44 is the global leader in supply chain visibility. In March 2021 it acquired Ocean Insights, the leading ocean supply chain visibility and market intelligence vendor from Germany, with a presence in the US, India, Spain and Hong Kong.
The combination of Ocean Insights’ tracking and analytics with project44’s platform and ecosystem establishes project44 as a top provider of multi-modal solutions for end-to-end supply chain visibility, and it has a strong presence in the APAC region.
9. Freightwalla
Freightwalla is an India-based international forwarder that helps customers manage their supply chain with online tools, including instant quotations for shipments. This digital freight logistics startup works with firms across a range of industries, including finished goods such as toys, homewares, textiles, agricultural products, and packaged foods.
The firm proffers freight management services across ocean transport, domestic and foreign inland trucking, customs clearance, warehousing and also air shipments. A mix of state-of-the-art analytics, automation and logistics technology, Freightwalla tackles inefficiencies involved in moving goods internationally.
10. vCargo Cloud
vCargo is a top infocomm tech and solution provider in Asia. It specialises in providing trade and logistics solutions to governments and enterprises worldwide. vCargo is changing the face of logistics with its CamelONE platform, a software suite that simplifies international trade compliance and documentation.
