Logistics road network to link ME and Europe
TNT Express, an international express delivery company plans to link the Middle East with the European market through the road network. The cargo major is expanding its presence to Syria and Lebanon by the end of this year and then links it with Turkey.
The move comes as TNT develops its Middle East Road Network (MERN), starting with its ‘Day Definite’ service, which guarantees customers the exact number of days to delivery.
Speaking to Khaleej Times, Rodney Ellis, TNT Express’s Commercial & marketing Manager , Gulf says, “the road network is the backbone of TNT’s regional strategy and we plan to launch routes linking the Gulf countries with the wider Middle East and Europe next year.”
The biggest markets for TNT have been the United Kingdom, Germany and Saudi Arabia. The company has been expanding rapidly across these countries including Saudi Arabia where-in it has opened walk-in centres, at Jeddah, Riyadh, Dhahran, Madinah, Tabuk, Khamis Mushayt, Jubail, Yanbu and Buraidah setting up an extensive road network. TNT Express (ME) has earlier announced plans to invest USD1 million in the region. TNT will be extending its network into Jordan by the end of October for which it will launch a 45-foot trailer service shortly. This would be followed by expansion in Syria and Lebanon by the end of this year. We are likely to be the first cargo company to have a road link between the Middle East with Europe, says Ellis adding we see good growth opportunities in Europe, Eastern Europe and Turkey.”
TNT’s MERN currently covers over 11 destinations: Dubai, Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain, Kuwait, Dhahran, Riyadh, Jeddah and Muscat.
TNT also has a wide network linking Turkey with the rest of Europe. Company sources say that TNT Express has continued its rapid expansion in Turkey by launching new domestic services and opening a new 5.3 million pound hub in Istanbul. Daily connections link Turkey to the TNT European air hub in Liege and to ten other major European road hubs.
An Official from TNT Express, said, “Our ambition is to expand TNT’s coverage, by offering an integrated product range and facilities to our customers. We hope to become the third largest domestic express player by 2015.” The cargo major has grown in the region at 7-8 per cent to the present 15 per cent and aims to grow at an average of 17-24 per cent over the next five years.
