15 Apr, 2009

TNT, leading provider of mail and integrated express services, today officially opened its vastly re-modelled and expanded Regional Hub in Singapore. Located at Changi Cargo Complex, the S$20 million Hub will significantly increase the capacity for time-sensitive freight passing through Singapore. The official opening ceremony was officiated by Guest of Honour Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Minister in Prime Minister's Office and Second Minister for Finance and Transport and Mr Peter Bakker, Chief Executive Officer of TNT N.V.

At the ceremony, Mrs Lim said, "The logistics sector has always been a key pillar of Singapore’s economy, both as an industry and as an enabler. I am heartened that in spite of the economic downturn, TNT has sought to invest in the future by further expanding their presence and capabilities in Singapore. The TNT Regional Hub will boost our logistics industry and contribute to Singapore’s value proposition as a leading cargo hub as well as a world-class logistics hub."

Peter Bakker, CEO of TNT said, “Asia is a promising market and we are committed and determined to grow our position in domestic, intra-regional and selected intercontinental express flows even further. The launch of the regional hub in Singapore - a critical business hub for the region – is a key milestone in TNT’s global strategy to establish leading position in emerging platforms, including Asia.”

The TNT Regional Hub is Singapore’s first integrated air and road hub. The facility, which covers 7334 square metres is located next to the cargo apron at the Singapore Changi Airport.

Capable of handling up to 350 tons of cargo a day, the Regional Hub further enhances TNT’s international air freight services between Europe, Southeast Asia and China. In April 2008, TNT made Singapore a permanent stopover for its Boeing 747-400ER Freighter en route from TNT’s European air hub in Liege, Belgium to Shanghai, China.

The new expanded facility also links TNT’s air services directly to the company’s unique, 5,000 mile Asia Road Network (ARN), the region’s only fully-managed and operated land-based express freight service route. The ARN stretches across 125 cities in five countries - Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indochina (including Vietnam) and China and is 30 per cent cheaper than air transportation and three times faster than sea transportation.

Onno Boots, Regional Managing Director for TNT Asia said, “Our success in building an integrated air and road network, connecting Southeast Asia, China and Europe means TNT can offer a wider range of services to a wider range of customers than ever before. Together with the recent investments in our Singapore depot and customer contact centre, enhanced depots in Southeast Asia and the extensive developments to our connectivity in China, this demonstrates our determination to build our offer across Asia. This means a quality alternative choice for their express freight needs.”

Appendix

“CAAS would like to congratulate TNT for the official opening of its new regional Hub in Changi Airfreight Centre. TNT's decision to consolidate its regional operations under its Asia Pacific headquarters in Singapore is a strong endorsement of Changi Airport's excellent connectivity and world-class infrastructure supporting the supply chain industry in the region. We look forward to a longstanding and successful partnership with TNT to promote the growth of Singapore's air cargo sector.”
- Mr Lim Kim Choon, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)


"TNT's Regional Hub represents the sort of infrastructure and capabilities that enhance Singapore's connectivity. This is a key competitive advantage for our manufacturing and trading sectors and we welcome leading logistics players such as TNT to continue developing and delivering sophisticated solutions to meet the increasingly complex global supply chain needs of companies.”
- Dr Beh Swan Gin, Managing Director of the Singapore Economic Development Board

“We are very pleased to witness the opening of TNT's Regional Hub here at SATS Airfreight Terminals today. Whilst the industry is facing extreme challenges at this moment, TNT's expansion and development of a state-of-the-art facility reaffirms Singapore’s position as the leading air express and global logistics hub. SATS has enjoyed a long and mutually beneficial partnership with TNT and we remain committed in helping our customer strengthen its presence here."
- Mr Clement Woon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Airport Terminal Services (SATS)