AliExpress Launches Local Fulfillment Network in Europe; JD Logistics Rolls Out JoyExpress in Saudi Arabia
Latest Dynamics of Logistics & Supply Chains in China's eCom
Here’s our pick for last week’s news:
Geek+ Pushes for Hong Kong Listing
JD Logistics Rolls Out JoyExpress in Saudi Arabia
AliExpress Launches Local Fulfillment Network in Europe
Cainiao Opens Second Warehouse in Canada
Cainiao Grows Global Client Base by Over 60%
BYD Launches Logistics Subsidiary to Power Global EV Shipping
UniUni Raises $70M+ in Series D1 Funding
Cosco Joins Talks on $22.8B Hutchison Port Sale
Hainan Harbor and PSA Singapore Team Up on Regional Logistics
Guangzhou Baiyun Breaks Into Global Cargo Top 10
Asian Exports Surge to Emerging Markets
Geek+ Pushes for Hong Kong Listing
Beijing-based robotics firm Geek+ filed an updated prospectus on June 16, advancing its Hong Kong Main Board IPO and inching closer to becoming the world's first publicly listed autonomous mobile robot (AMR) warehousing company. Its revenue surged from RMB 790 million (about $110 million) in 2021 to RMB 2.41 billion (about $335 million) in 2024—a 45% CAGR—while gross profit skyrocketed from RMB 80 million (about $11 million) to RMB 840 million (about $117 million), a 118.5% CAGR and a 34.8% gross margin in 2024. By 2023, over 70% of its revenue came from overseas markets, with a presence spanning 40 countries and regions worldwide. (Geek+)
JD Logistics Rolls Out JoyExpress in Saudi Arabia
JD Logistics, the logistics arm of Chinese retail giant JD.com, has launched JoyExpress, its self-operated express delivery service in Saudi Arabia, offering fast doorstep delivery, cash-on-delivery, and full supply chain solutions. Backed by JD's local network of warehouses, couriers, and sorting centers, the service supports Vision 2030 by boosting jobs and logistics infrastructure. The move marks a key step in JD.com's global expansion and strengthens its position in the Middle East's fast-growing e-commerce market. (JD)
AliExpress Launches Local Fulfillment Network in Europe
AliExpress has rolled out a European fulfillment network under its new "Local+" model, allowing mostly Chinese merchants to pre-stock goods in over 10 EU warehouses—including in Spain, France, Germany, and Poland. By taking control of end-to-end logistics, from inbound freight to local delivery and returns, AliExpress aims to fix its long-standing weaknesses in speed and reliability. The move positions the platform to compete more aggressively with Amazon, SHEIN, and Temu, especially as EU tax changes tighten. With faster shipping, smoother returns, and reduced customs friction, Local+ could redefine AliExpress's role in the European e-commerce race. (AliExpress)
Cainiao Opens Second Warehouse in Canada
Cainiao has launched its second self-operated warehouse in Canada, expanding to 13 facilities across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The new Vancouver bulky-goods warehouse, near the port and airport, complements an existing facility to speed up sea and air freight handling. With over 99% on-time tracking and delivery success, Cainiao strengthens its North American supply chain, helping Chinese exporters tap Canada's growing e-commerce market. (Cainiao)
Cainiao Grows Global Client Base by Over 60%
Cainiao is ramping up its global logistics technology footprint, delivering automated sorting systems across Spain, Israel, Brazil, Singapore, Romania, and Vietnam while upgrading partnerships with multinational firms from domestic to global collaboration. Vice President Bi Jianghua confirmed a 60% year-over-year jump in key global clients, with overseas sales expected to outpace domestic growth in 2025. Cainiao is also sharpening its in-house R&D on logistics robots to meet diverse industry needs, positioning itself as a rising force in supply chain automation worldwide. (Cainiao)
BYD Launches Logistics Subsidiary to Power Global EV Shipping
China's BYD, the world's largest electric vehicle maker, has launched a new logistics arm—Shanwei BYD Industry —to boost its global shipping reach and efficiency. Based in Shanwei, Guangdong, near BYD's Shenzhen headquarters, the subsidiary offers container shipping, NVOCC, freight forwarding, warehousing, and terminal services, anchoring BYD's global expansion strategy. The company is also building a dedicated fleet of eight car carriers, owned and leased, expected by year-end to support worldwide EV distribution. Until now reliant on Cosco Shipping, BYD's own fleet will sharpen its edge in international logistics. (BYD)
UniUni Raises $70M+ in Series D1 Funding
UniUni closed a $70 million+ Series D1 round to accelerate its North American logistics growth, investing in digital upgrades, AI, and automated sorting to boost pick-up, transfer, and last-mile delivery. Founded by Peter Lu in 2019, UniUni quickly became a key partner for Amazon, Walmart, Shein, and Wish, handling over 50,000 parcels daily by 2021. Its next-day delivery hit a 98.7% success rate in 2022, covering 60% of Canada's population. That year, Shein named UniUni its top logistics provider, and in 2023, Temu chose UniUni for last-mile delivery after just a month-long trial. (UniUni)
Cosco Joins Talks on $22.8B Hutchison Port Sale
Cosco Shipping is reportedly in talks to join a global consortium bidding $22.8 billion for 43 ports owned by Li Ka-shing's CK Hutchison. The portfolio, spanning 23 countries and including key terminals near the Panama Canal, has drawn international scrutiny, especially after previous involvement by U.S. firm BlackRock. Now led by Mediterranean Shipping Company and the Aponte family, the consortium may add Chinese state-backed investors following recent U.S.-China discussions in Switzerland. Negotiations remain exclusive through July 27. (Reuters)
Hainan Harbor and PSA Singapore Team Up on Regional Logistics
Hainan Harbor & Shipping has inked a strategic MOU with PSA Singapore to deepen connectivity between Yangpu Port and Southeast Asia, positioning Yangpu as a rising hub in China's global trade ambitions. As the largest terminal operator in Yangpu and a key player in the COSCO Shipping Group, Hainan Harbor is teaming up with the world's top transshipment hub to co-develop logistics solutions that enhance cargo flow, port efficiency, and supply chain resilience. The partnership aims to align Yangpu's development with Hainan's Free Trade Port strategy, boosting South China's trade links to emerging markets in the region. (PSA Singapore)
Guangzhou Baiyun Breaks Into Global Cargo Top 10
Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport is cementing its position as a rising global air cargo hub, adding or expanding 18 international freighter routes in 2025—including links to Mexico City and Budapest—to reach 256 destinations worldwide. With an express network promising "4 hours to Southeast Asia, 12 hours to the world," the airport's cargo and mail throughput surged 16.9% YoY to a record 2.38 million tons, ranking it No. 2 in China and 9th globally. Baiyun also placed 10th worldwide in aircraft movements, with more than 512,000 takeoffs and landings in 2024, up 12.3%, according to Airports Council International. (ICAO)
Asian Exports Surge to Emerging Markets
Global container volumes rose 5.8% in April to 15.6 million TEUs, defying flat growth forecasts and extending 2025's strong start. While U.S. tariffs dragged North American imports down 4.7%, China's exports to the U.S. plunged 25%. Yet Asian shipments to emerging markets surged—up 29% to Sub-Saharan Africa, 24% to Latin America, and 23% to the Indian subcontinent. Asia-Europe trade also stayed strong, rising 8.4% YoY. Analysts say the shift highlights Asia's growing pivot from traditional Western markets to the Global South.(Kuehne+Nagel)