TNT launches road service from EU into Turkey

Express delivery firm TNT has launched a new daily ground shipment service from Europe into Turkey. The Netherlands-based company said its new scheduled road service would link Istanbul to Sofia, Bulgaria, and on to all countries in Europe through its European road network.

Transit times from key Istanbul to key European business centres should range from four to seven days.

TNT said the new service came in response to growing trade levels between the European Union and Turkey, with the country’s economy growing by 6% a year on average since 2010, with the EU being Turkey’s top import and export market.

The new road service comes alongside the company’s existing overnight air express service to Istanbul. The firm said it was the only express operator to run a scheduled road connection between all of Europe and Istanbul.

TNT operates a network of 26 hubs and depots in Turkey, along with a fleet of 328 vehicles connecting Istanbul with cities including Ankara, Izmir, Adana and Bursa.

Separately, TNT said today it has started a twice-weekly road service between Sofia and Pristina, the capital of Kosovo, to extend its coverage in the South East of Europe.

The service ships pallets of up to 500kg as well as parcels, with shipments reaching Pristina within one business day after departure from Sofia.

Ian Clough, Managing Director, TNT International Europe, said: “TNT has the strongest, fastest and broadest road network in Europe. These latest routes further enhance the operational strength of TNT’s European road network by providing greater access to the fast-moving markets of South East Europe and supporting a closer integration with the EU.”