FedEx Express (FedEx) announced that it is bolstering support for cross-border trade and e-commerce growth in Korea with the launch of its new FedEx Incheon Gateway located at Incheon International Airport.
The new facility will offer enhanced capabilities to support businesses looking to access international markets and support the growing demand for e-commerce and cold-chain shipments.
Double capacity in new facility
In a statement, FedEx said the new Incheon Gateway spans 23,395 square meters, more than double the size of the previous facility, and is equipped with 78 conveyor belts and an advanced automated sortation system that can sort up to 12,000 packages per hour, doubling the previous sorting capacity.
It also includes a 15,207-square-meter warehouse that can safely store up to 40,000 packages.
With 31 weekly flights, the new facility connects Korea to over 220 countries and territories through the FedEx global network.
FedEx said the new Gateway will also support importers and exporters including small- and medium enterprises (SMEs) and heavy-weight shippers with greater and more reliable access to and from international markets.
"With South Korea tracking as the fourth biggest exporter in Asia last year and the world’s fifth-largest e-commerce market, the new Incheon Gateway will further boost our already extensive network to create possibilities for customers across the region," said Kawal Preet, president of the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa (AMEA) region at FedEx Express.
"As trade lanes continue to diversify, businesses particularly across the North Pacific region will benefit from this newly opened facility as they continue to harness the full potential of global trade opportunities," Preet added.
The FedEx executive noted that the new Incheon Gateway will not only connect customers to its U.S., Europe and Intra- Asia markets, but will also meet the growing demand for cold-chain solutions.
The facility was sustainably built boosting FedEx's efforts to become carbon-neutral by 2040.
Serving cold chain needs
To further facilitate the safe transportation of cold-chain shipments, including samples for clinical trials and healthcare products, FedEx said the new gateway's cold storage area is now five times larger.
The enhanced cold-chain capabilities at Incheon enable FedEx to facilitate the transportation of a wider range of temperature-sensitive shipments within Korea, or to destinations within the FedEx global network.
It contains three separate chambers compliant with European Guidelines (Good Distribution Practice) for temperature-controlled storage including a freezer, cooler, and ambient room.
FedEx said the new Gateway has adopted many sustainable features. It is a G-SEED (Green Standard for Energy and Environmental Design)-certified building, the facility will generate renewable energy through 2,400 solar panels on its rooftop, supplying approximately 19% of the facility's energy needs per month.
A green roof will reduce heat flux and energy consumption for cooling or heating. The building features 100% LED lighting to save more than 22,000kW per year versus traditional lighting and a skylight installation (more than 1,000 square meters) to increase the amount of natural light.
"We're well positioned to facilitate seamless customs clearance to support industries such as electronics, automotive, life sciences and healthcare in Korea to participate in the global supply chain," said Wonbin Park, managing director, of FedEx Express Korea.
