DHL is expanding into the US data centre market with new warehouse capacity to support hyperscale and co-location operators, reports London's S&P Global.

CEO Tobias Meyer stated that 10 dedicated DHL Supply Chain warehouses, totaling seven million square feet, will open in North America this year. He noted that industrial customers are shipping heavier cargoes, which is driving group revenues.

Meyer explained that DHL will stage inbound supplies close to job sites to ensure components are available during construction. Shipments will include servers, racks, and electrical equipment moved by DHL's forwarding, supply chain, and express divisions.

Real estate firm JLL estimated that US data centre capacity will more than double to 109 gigawatts by 2030, up from 49 GW last year. Pew Research indicated that more than 1,500 centres are currently in development, with 75 percent located in the Southwest and Midwest.

Meyer also warned of jet fuel shortages in Asia, which are forcing DHL aircraft to carry extra fuel from regional hubs to complete round trips. He cautioned that shortages could worsen if Middle East oil shipments remain constrained.

DHL reported a first-quarter revenue decline of two percent to US$24 billion, while net profit rose by three percent to $956 million. Global forwarding EBIT fell by 19 percent to $193 million, while DHL Express EBIT increased by 21 percent to $941 million.