AI infrastructure boom is reshaping global logistics, Dimerco says

Industry leaders gathered in Taipei said the rapid buildout of AI data centers is creating one of the fastest-growing logistics demands in the world. Dimerco Express Group marked its 55th anniversary by spotlighting the challenge of moving costly, sensitive AI infrastructure across borders on tight schedules.

Why it matters: - AI data center construction is driving a new logistics problem: moving thousands of components across multiple countries before facilities can go live. - The shift is increasing demand for premium air freight, trade compliance, bonded warehousing and specialized handling. - McKinsey estimates global demand for data center capacity could almost triple by 2030, requiring nearly $7 trillion in investment.

What happened: - Dimerco Express Group hosted its “Beyond the Next Horizon” Supply Chain Summit in Taipei to mark the company’s 55th anniversary. - More than 150 customers and supply chain experts attended the event. - Dimerco CEO Jeffrey Shih said AI infrastructure is becoming one of the world’s fastest-growing logistics categories. - DIGITIMES Chairman and CEO Colley Hwang said semiconductor and technology leaders are increasingly focused on hardware bottlenecks in AI data center construction.

The details: - AI infrastructure includes servers, switches, cooling units and power systems that must be manufactured, transported, cleared through customs, stored and delivered safely and on time. - Shih said the logistics environment is getting more complex as deployment schedules accelerate and equipment values rise. - The main challenges include trade compliance, stepped-up export controls, shipment risk for cargo valued in the tens of millions of dollars, damage-free handling and precisely timed delivery to sites under construction. - The summit said AI infrastructure is also reshaping air cargo demand, with high-value servers and networking gear moving from Asian manufacturing hubs to hyperscale data centers worldwide. - Dimerco Chairwoman Catherine Chien said the company is positioned to move AI equipment from Asia’s manufacturing base to data centers around the world through global shipping, trade compliance and bonded warehousing services. - Dimerco is founded in Taiwan in 1971 and listed on the Taipei Exchange under 5609. - Dimerco says it operates more than 300 service locations connected on a cloud-based digital logistics platform. - More information is available in the company's announcement.

Between the lines: - The logistics race around AI is shifting the conversation from what AI can do to where the computing power and hardware capacity will come from. - The biggest pressure point is no longer only manufacturing chips and servers. It is synchronizing global movement, customs clearance and delivery timing for expensive equipment with little room for error. - Premium air freight appears to be gaining from AI buildouts even as e-commerce remains a major source of demand.

What's next: - Companies building AI infrastructure will likely need tighter coordination across manufacturing, shipping, customs and last-mile delivery. - Logistics providers with cross-border freight, compliance and warehousing capabilities are likely to compete for more of this business as data center deployment accelerates. - Dimerco framed AI logistics as a long-term supply chain challenge rather than a temporary surge.