New Luxembourg–Shanghai link strengthens temperature-controlled connectivity between Europe and Asia
Freight forwarder DSV is expanding its Air ThermoDirect pharmaceutical logistics network with a new direct connection between Luxembourg and Shanghai Pudong International Airport (PVG), strengthening temperature-controlled air freight links between Europe and one of Asia’s key pharmaceutical markets.
The new service forms part of DSV’s strategy to provide greater control and reliability across critical healthcare supply chains. The Luxembourg–Shanghai connection will operate through multiple departures on dedicated freighter aircraft, allowing DSV to control scheduling, routing and cargo handling.
The expansion comes as pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical supply chains place increasing emphasis on predictable temperature control, visibility and resilience across international transport lanes.
Shanghai strengthens role as pharma gateway
DSV said Shanghai Pudong plays a key role in temperature-controlled pharmaceutical logistics and serves as an important gateway between international manufacturers and the wider Asian healthcare market.
The Shanghai operation will be supported by Eastern Air Logistics (EAL) through its specialised ground-handling facilities. DSV is also working with ground-handling partner China Eastern Logistics Cold Chain Ltd., which will provide dedicated cold-chain expertise and infrastructure.
The arrangement is designed to strengthen both inbound and outbound pharmaceutical flows while maintaining consistent handling standards throughout the transportation process.
DSV’s Air ThermoDirect offering combines its dedicated air network with temperature-controlled ground handling and thermal packaging solutions. The company says the model is designed to reduce exposure to uncontrolled environments while maintaining the required temperature conditions for sensitive healthcare products.
Greater China becomes strategic growth market
Kenneth Kallström, Executive Vice President and Global Enterprise Vertical Head, Healthcare at DSV, described the Shanghai expansion as more than an additional temperature-controlled route.
“This is not just an expansion of our temperature-controlled network. It is a strategic gateway to Greater China and the broader Asian market,” Kallström said.
He added that the expanded network is intended to help healthcare customers improve supply chain efficiency, reduce operating costs and protect the integrity of critical healthcare products across the region.
DSV is also promoting the use of reusable thermal packaging as part of its cold-chain strategy, with the company seeking to reduce packaging waste while improving the environmental performance of temperature-controlled logistics.
Air ThermoDirect network continues to expand
The Shanghai connection is the latest addition to DSV’s Air ThermoDirect network following the launch of a direct Luxembourg–Indianapolis route in June 2026.
The Indianapolis service links Luxembourg with one of the United States’ rapidly expanding life sciences and healthcare logistics hubs. DSV said the connection was designed to provide a predictable and scalable cold chain while reducing exposure to uncontrolled environments and simplifying pharmaceutical transportation.
DSV’s current Air Direct network also lists Shanghai connections with Luxembourg and Frankfurt, as well as links between Shanghai and Chicago, highlighting the growing role of PVG within the forwarder’s controlled air freight network.
The company has indicated that additional US routes are planned, further extending Air ThermoDirect’s coverage between major pharmaceutical production and distribution centres.
Focus on end-to-end temperature control
DSV positions Air ThermoDirect as an end-to-end cold-chain solution covering air transport, ground handling and specialised thermal protection.
The company says its approach can combine active and passive temperature-control capabilities, real-time monitoring, GxP-compliant processes and specialised handling infrastructure. Its thermal packaging solutions are designed to provide protection against temperature excursions while reducing dependence on traditional active containers.
For pharmaceutical manufacturers and healthcare companies, maintaining product integrity across international transportation remains critical, particularly for temperature-sensitive medicines, biologics and other life sciences products.
The addition of Shanghai therefore gives DSV another strategically important gateway through which it can connect pharmaceutical supply chains between Europe, Greater China and the wider Asia-Pacific region.
With Shanghai strengthening its position within the Air ThermoDirect network and further US connections planned, DSV is continuing to build a controlled global air freight platform focused on the increasingly specialised requirements of pharmaceutical and healthcare logistics.
Source verification: DSV officially announced the Luxembourg–Shanghai expansion on September 1, 2026. The company confirmed the use of dedicated freighter aircraft, DSV control of scheduling and handling, and support from Eastern Air Logistics and China Eastern Logistics Cold Chain. DSV also confirmed that additional US routes are planned.
