DHL refuses delivery to Duisburg High-Rise
**It is apparently the only case nationwide: In order to ensure the safety of its employees, DHL no longer delivers packages to a Duisburg high-rise building. A DHL spokesperson states that the delivery is "not feasible" for the employees. "There have been repeatedly threatening delivery situations." She provides no details. The high-rise building, known as the "White Giant," has 320 apartments on 20 floors.
According to Duisburg police, the number of reports filed at this address in the current year was low in relation to the high population density at the address. There is no safety issue, says a police spokesperson. "The numbers, data, and facts do not indicate this." She admits, however, that there is a "gray area" - potential crimes where victims do not file reports.
DHL's local delivery stop is unusual. The DHL spokesperson is currently not aware of any similar cases nationwide where DHL avoids an address in Germany to ensure the safety of its employees. Residents of the Duisburg high-rise building who receive a package from DHL will receive a notification card in their mailbox - with the card, they can pick up the package at a post office.
DHL competitors continue to deliver
However, the competitors continue to deliver. A DPD spokesperson says they still offer doorstep delivery at the building. A GLS spokesperson reports that there are "challenges" in certain areas of Duisburg. In these areas, only specially trained drivers are used, who can handle the given circumstances. The DPD spokesperson also reports that there are "repeatedly insults and threats of violence against delivery drivers and delivery personnel, up to and including acts of violence."
Opinions about DHL's delivery stop vary on site. A resident expresses understanding, as conditions are difficult. Another resident says, "DHL is making a mountain out of a molehill." It could indeed be that there are occasional incidents involving delivery personnel - "that can happen, but that's not everyday." Frustration arises due to the sometimes poor delivery quality.
- Despite DHL's decision, German Post continues to deliver parcels to the 'White Giant' in Duisburg, ensuring that they have a system in place for specially trained drivers to handle any potential challenges.
- In North Rhine-Westphalia, there have been reports of repeated threats and acts of violence against delivery drivers and personnel from various companies, including DHL, leading to heightened security measures in certain areas.
- International package deliveries to the Duisburg high-rise building are still being handled by rivals like DPD, despite DHL's withdrawal, as the police and the building's post office work together to accommodate the affected residents.
