Bangkok--3 Nov--Vivaldi Public Relations
Leading global express integrator, TNT, picked up a global award for its Asia Road Network (ARN) at the 14th annual UK-based International Freighting Weekly Awards in London yesterday. Edging out stiff competition from its rivals, TNT was singled out for its innovation, high service standards, strong track record of success, and pioneering efforts to establish the first chartered road service network in Southeast Asia.
Modelled after the TNT’s market-leading European Road Network, TNT established the ARN in 2005. Since then, the road service wholly managed by TNT has expanded and now stretches across 127 cities in seven countries across Southeast Asia and China — a distance of more than 7,650 kilometres.
While overland transportation of goods is the dominant mode in Europe and the US, Asia stands as an exception with sea transportation as the most common mode. Seizing the opportunity to grow another viable alternative for its customers in Asia, TNT invested more than 12.5 million euro (about S$21.4 million) into developing the ARN. Considerable efforts have also been channeled into facilitating a faster customs clearance process between borders.
David Stenberg, General Manager, Asia Road Network said, “Five years ago, we announced our intention to develop a road network in Asia, very much like our Europe Road Network. We were the first to attempt such an ambitious project in Asia, and we faced a set of unique challenges. TNT did what we do best and engineered an unrivalled road network that offers our customers a combination of cost efficiency, speed, security and reliability.
“Over the years, we have seen the profile of freight diversify to include more high-value goods, such as electronics, healthcare products and automotive and industrial equipment. This global award affirms our ability to drive best-in-class services in all markets we operate, and particularly in the exciting, emerging markets of Southeast Asia.”
In the diverse geographical territory of Southeast Asia, TNT’s ARN service is 30 per cent cheaper than air transportation and 3 times faster than sea transportation on average. Since its inception, capacity on the ARN has grown over 20 per cent year-on-year and further growth is expected. In a recent report, the total volume of road freight carried domestically and internationally in Asia is expected to grow by 8.4 per cent over the next four years, from 2,090 billion tonnes-km in 2010 to 2,889 billion tonnes-km in 2014.
A new truck fleet
In June, TNT unveiled a new fleet of trucks specially designed for maximum efficiency and customised to suit pan-Asian routes. The 41-foot Scania trucks and trailers are larger and more environmentally friendly than their predecessors. TNT and partners Scania and Astrata have collaborated closely on design and security features which are still, to this day, completely unique in the region.
Some of the design features of TNT’s new trucks include:
- Increased capacity — capacity on the new trucks is 20 per cent greater than that of previous trucks
- Lighter — three tons lighter than predecessors, meaning reduced wear and tear
- Enhanced security (partnering with Astrata) — in-built security system that enables efficient, round-the-clock remote monitoring of the trucks
- Greener — improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions; new trucks are 17 per cent more efficient when measured against the industry benchmark.
Unrivalled security standards
In what is an industry first, TNT has achieved the highest validation ever to be awarded to a company globally for trucks operating on its ARN in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. Level One is the highest validation that TAPA (Transported Asset Protection Association) awards in its TSR category (Trucking Security), demanding 100 per cent compliance from participating companies and their suppliers in meeting stringent security measures. Coupled with its TAPA FSR certification, TNT is now the first globally to operate a complete door-to-door TAPA certified- logistics network.
TNT has taken the TAPA requirements a stage further by deploying CCTV cameras on their fleet. The cameras, which can be monitored remotely, observe the loading and unloading of the trailer, to ensure quality controls at all stages of the movement of the customer’s goods. The cameras are also used to detect if the trailer is being followed and the control room is able to alert the police immediately of an eminent attack on the vehicle.
TNT plans to announce further security enhancements to the ARN and plans to expand the road network further into mainland China and subsequently into India.
About the IFW Awards
The IFW Awards is one of the distribution industry's longest established events which recognizes and rewards excellence in the Logistics sector.
About the Asia Road Network
Established in 2005, the Asian Road Network currently links 6 countries across 127 cities - a distance of more than 7,650 kilometres. The TNT Asia Road Network offers businesses a cost and time effective solution with a land transport service that will provide significant savings compared to air freight and with transit times that are up to three times faster than sea freight.
For more information and inquiries, please contact:
Chanpim Merakate
Public Relations Manager
Vivaldi Public Relations
Tel: 02 612 2253 ext 105
Fax: 02 612 2254
Email:
[email protected]
Web: www.vivaldipr.com