DHL, Alibaba.com to bring AI-powered logistics tools for SMEs
Dhaka: DHL Group and Alibaba.com have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop artificial intelligence tools aimed at simplifying international trade for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The partnership, announced at Alibaba.com's CoCreate 2026 Conference in Los Angeles on September 10, will explore how AI-powered tools can assist customers across the entire trade journey, from sourcing suppliers to booking shipments.
Under the deal, the two companies plan to examine how DHL Global Forwarding's logistics services can be integrated into Accio, Alibaba.com's agentic AI platform. Accio functions as a no-code digital taskforce built to support SMEs with their varied operational needs.
Through this integration, Accio would be able to connect with DHL Global Forwarding's quotation and booking systems, letting businesses access real-time freight forwarding quotes, compare shipping options, and complete bookings more efficiently.
The companies described the initiative as the first step in a broader plan to bring DHL's logistics capabilities into automated workflows that could improve efficiency and help SMEs expand internationally with greater ease.
Katja Busch, DHL's Chief Commercial Officer, said many SMEs still struggle with the complex rules and requirements involved in international expansion, and the collaboration aims to let businesses spend less time on that complexity.
Kuo Zhang, President of Alibaba.com, said AI is reshaping how businesses take part in global trade by making once resource-intensive capabilities more accessible to smaller enterprises. He added that connecting Accio with DHL's logistics network could help lower barriers to cross-border commerce.
Tim Robertson, Executive Vice President for Accelerated Digitalization at DHL Global Forwarding, said customers increasingly expect their logistics processes to be as seamless as other parts of their operations.
He added that the collaboration would look at how AI capabilities could provide faster access to information and greater transparency in logistics processes, noting the potential of pairing digital platforms with DHL's network.
DHL currently operates one of the world's largest logistics networks, while Alibaba.com serves as a major global business-to-business trade platform connecting buyers and suppliers across multiple industries.
Neither company disclosed a timeline for rolling out the proposed AI-powered features or specified which markets would be prioritized once the exploratory phase concludes.
