FedEx expands Duiven’s role as strategic European road hub

Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) has announced a strategic investment to expand its road hub in Duiven, Netherlands. The investment reinforces the Netherlands’ position as a key logistics gateway in Europe and supports the company’s continued growth in the premium international parcel and freight market.

FedEx is investing €46 million ($54.1 million) in the procurement and development of a neighbouring facility, significantly increasing capacity at the road hub and further improving operational efficiency across the European road network.

‘The Duiven hub is one of the largest and most technologically advanced FedEx road hubs within the European Road Network,’ said Safia Ladhari, managing director, network operations at FedEx. ‘As it is strategically located and fully connected to every other FedEx road hub across the continent, it plays a central role in delivering our European service offering.’

The global airfreight market is valued at nearly €76 billion ($90 billion). A key FedEx priority is growth in the premium airfreight segment, estimated at approximately €19 billion ($22 billion), where FedEx currently holds a 12% market share.

‘Our European road network plays a vital role in supporting this ambition,’ Safia added. ‘It enables us to move intercontinental airfreight shipments efficiently across Europe by road, complementing our air operations. This integrated truck-fly-truck model is a defining element of our very competitive freight services and offers customers a highly reliable and cost efficient solution.’

As part of the expansion, palletised freight handling capacity will increase by more than 50%. The new facility will also add 65 dock doors, bringing the total to 265 dock doors on site.

The additional capacity will allow more freight shipments to be delivered directly from customers to the hub, reducing reliance on first and last mile locations. This will help relieve pressure across the network and further enhance service reliability, particularly during peak periods.

The first phase of the expansion will focus on the initial requirements to operate the facility. Subsequent phases will focus on further operational optimisations, including improved connectivity between the new and current building and additional efficiency enhancements.

‘Over the past year, the Duiven facility has seen strong growth in parcel and freight volumes, particularly during peak periods such as the year end season,’ Safia concluded. ‘This expansion ensures we are well positioned to support our customers through continued growth.’