29 Oct 2010

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 .

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 – a distance of more than 7,650 kilometres.

While overland transportation of goods is the dominant mode in Europe and the , stands as an exception with sea transportation as the most common mode. Seizing the opportunity to grow another viable alternative for its customers in , 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.

Onno Boots, Regional Managing Director of TNT Southeast Asia and India 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 , 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 .”

In the diverse geographical , 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 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 , and . 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 and subsequently into .