TNT and Con-way Freight develop intercontinental express service

TNT and Con-way Freight announced on 2 April the start of a alliance that provides a door-to-door road/air/road solution for heavier, expedited intercontinental shipments between Europe and the United States.

TNT and Con-way Freight announced on 2 April the start of a alliance that provides a door-to-door road/air/road solution for heavier, expedited intercontinental shipments between Europe and the United States.

The new service links up TNT’s European road network, with intercontinental air cargo uplift and Con-way Freight’s day-definite delivery network for less-than-truckload (LTL) freight in the United States, to provide a fast-response, expedited door-to-door service.

The new service is being launched initially for heavy freight shipments originating in Europe with a destination to any city in the United States.

The alliance establishes Con-way Freight as TNT’s primary transportation network provider in the US. Under the program’s first phase rollout, TNT will manage cargo pickup in Europe; consolidation, tendering and management of direct intercontinental air cargo service into the United States; and customs clearance and deconsolidation at TNT’s US gateway at New York’s Kennedy International Airport. Cargoes are then expedited into Con-way Freight’s network via its Brooklyn, N.Y., service centre as LTL shipments for direct-to-door delivery to final destination in the continental US.

Marie-Christine Lombard, group managing director Express, and member of TNT’s board of management, said: “TNT’s partnership with Con-way Freight will provide cost-efficient, yet fast and reliable express freight services to customers on both sides of the Atlantic. We have identified many clients and prospects that are looking to develop their export business to the USA requiring reliable transport solutions for freight shipments. The new collaboration between TNT and Con-way Freight is there to assist them.”

“This strategic alliance with TNT further expands Con-way Freight’s capabilities to serve the international needs of our customers, a key differentiator in today’s global economy,” said John Labrie, president, Con-way Freight. “We’re both playing to our strengths, with shippers realising significant benefit from a highly reliable, cost-effective service that can reduce overall logistics costs, shorten supply cycles and accelerate product to market. We’re excited to be launching this solution.”