DHL Global Forwarding acquires 100% of Uruguay's Aero Cargas, expanding its footprint in the Latin American logistics market

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On September 1, DHL Group announced that DHL Global Forwarding, its air and ocean freight forwarding division, has acquired 100% of the shares of Aero Cargas S.A., a Uruguayan logistics and freight forwarding company. The specific transaction amount has not been disclosed.

It is reported that Aero Cargas S.A. will be integrated into DHL Global Forwarding's Peru-Ecuador-Argentina-Chile (PAC) business cluster, and all employees will be transferred to DHL Global Forwarding. Through this acquisition, DHL Group brings its 33-year partner under its wing.

Aero Cargas S.A. boasts over 58 years of industry experience in the South American logistics sector, having accumulated deep expertise in air and ocean freight forwarding, industrial project logistics, road transportation, and customized multimodal transport services. The company also has a solid track record in free trade zone operations, pharmaceutical product handling, and regional inventory management. This acquisition will also strengthen DHL Group's service capabilities in healthcare logistics, project cargo, and regional distribution.

DHL Group stated that geopolitical tensions and shifts in global trade routes have exposed the vulnerabilities of traditional trade corridors, prompting shippers to seek more resilient alternative routes through Latin America. Uruguay, situated at the intersection of transatlantic routes and the major inland waterways of the Southern Cone (referring to the super-peninsular region south of the Tropic of Capricorn in South America), serves as a strategic gateway connecting MERCOSUR with North America.

DHL Group further emphasized that Uruguay's strategic position as an increasingly important logistics hub for regional and international trade is on the rise. This acquisition strengthens DHL Global Forwarding's business presence in Latin America and marks its first directly operated entity in Uruguay. It also consolidates DHL Group's market position in the Southern Cone region and broadens access to key regional trade corridors.

Oscar de Bok, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding, stated that establishing a direct operation in Montevideo, the capital of Uruguay, enhances the connectivity of the company's business across the Americas.

Erik Meade, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding Latin America, stated that this move accelerates the implementation of DHL Group's Life Sciences & Healthcare strategy. With over $1 billion in pharmaceutical products flowing through Uruguay annually, global pharmaceutical brands are increasingly using the country as a regional distribution hub for Latin America.

Data shows that of the €2 billion (approximately $2.315 billion) investment plan announced by DHL Group in 2025, about 10% will be allocated to the Latin American region.

Natalia Sadurskas, General Manager of Aero Cargas S.A., said: "Joining DHL Global Forwarding opens an exciting new chapter for our employees and customers. Together with DHL Group, we will provide broader coverage, operational excellence, and service solutions across Latin America and beyond."

It is understood that this acquisition is a practical implementation of DHL Group's "Strategy 2030," which aims to accelerate sustainable growth through targeted investments in high-growth markets and evolving trade corridors.

In recent years, DHL Group has continued to increase its commitment to the Latin American market, continuously improving its network coverage.

In 2018, DHL Group, through its DHL Supply Chain division, acquired Colombian logistics company Suppla Group, whose business covers warehousing and packaging services in the life sciences & healthcare, retail, consumer goods, and technology sectors.

In 2023, DHL Supply Chain announced an investment of €500 million (approximately $579 million) in Latin America, aimed at strengthening DHL Group's operational capabilities in the region and further enhancing its logistics capabilities in high-demand sectors such as healthcare, automotive, technology, retail, and e-commerce.

According to the 2026 Global Freight Forwarders Top 50 ranking, DHL Group ranks fourth, with a volume of 3.274 million TEU in 2025.