FedEx has announced plans to invest €46m (£39m) in expanding its road hub in Duiven in the Netherlands, as the logistics giant looks to increase freight capacity and strengthen its European distribution network.
The investment, worth around $54.1m, will fund the acquisition and development of a neighbouring facility, increasing palletised freight handling capacity at the site by more than 50%.
The project will also add 65 new dock doors, taking the total number at the Duiven hub to 265.
The facility plays a major role in FedEx’s European Road Network and is regarded by the company as one of its most advanced logistics centres on the continent.
Safia Ladhari, Managing Director of Network Operations at FedEx, said the Dutch hub was central to the company’s European operations.
“The Duiven facility is one of the largest and most technologically advanced FedEx road hubs within the European Road Network,” she said.
“Its continental connectivity makes it central to our European service offering.”
Expansion linked to premium airfreight growth
FedEx said the expansion was partly driven by growing demand in the premium airfreight market, which the company estimates is worth around €19bn globally.
The wider global airfreight market is valued at nearly €76bn, according to figures presented during FedEx Investor Day 2026.
The company said its European road operations are increasingly important in supporting intercontinental freight movements through a combined “truck-fly-truck” logistics model.
Ladhari said the system allowed airfreight shipments to move efficiently across Europe once they arrive by air.
“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,” she said.
Capacity increase aimed at easing network pressure
FedEx said the additional space would allow more freight to move directly between customers and the Duiven hub, reducing reliance on first- and last-mile facilities elsewhere in the network.
The company believes this will improve efficiency and reduce pressure during busy seasonal periods, particularly around year-end peaks.
The expansion will be completed in several stages, with the first phase focused on bringing the new facility into operation.
Later phases will aim to improve connectivity between the existing and newly developed buildings while enhancing operational efficiency across the site.
Ladhari said freight and parcel demand at Duiven had risen sharply over the past year.
“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,” she said.
“This expansion ensures we are well positioned to support our customers through continued growth.”
