TNT Express announced today that it has extended its Express Road Network (ERN) into Africa bystarting an international road line haul connection to Casablanca, Morocco. By doing this, TNT is
the first major express company to create an owned time definite road line haul connection betweenAfrica and Europe.The Dutch express company said the expansion complements its focus on further strengtheningits networks by expanding into the emerging markets within and around Europe, which to date hasconcentrated on Eastern Europe. This step reflects TNT Express’ strategic intents to become numberone in both Europe and Rest of the World emerging markets.
Morocco traditionally has a strong trade relationship with the region as the gateway betweenEurope and Africa. TNT will leverage on this geographic situation by connecting its entire Europeanroad network to the African continent. Morocco is one of the fastest growing markets in the regionand several trade agreements will fuel this growth in the future. Casablanca is connected to theERN through Madrid with a sea connection between Tangier and Algeciras.
Marie-Christine Lombard, Group Managing Director of TNT’s express division, said: “We arepleased to be able to further strengthen our leading position in the European express market byexpanding into the emerging markets in and surrounding Europe. Directly linking Africa and Europeby means of a road line haul connection is new to the major players in the global market andenables us to make use of the first mover advantages.”
TNT Express said that its ERN is the most extensive road delivery network in Europe, enablingit to provide the fastest daily by road door to door customs cleared express delivery transit timesin Europe. The TNT ERN handles 4,000 Europe-wide international linehauls per week. The networkconnects 414 depots in 34 countries through twelve international road hubs.
The extension of the ERN to Morocco provides customers access to the Economy Express service.This service is now available to over 90 countries worldwide.
