TNT today officially opened its expanded regional hub in Singapore providing increased handlingcapacity and direct connections between its Asia road network and freighter flights to China and
Europe.Located at Changi Cargo Complex, the S$20 million (€10 million) hub will significantlyincrease the capacity for time-sensitive freight passing through Singapore, the company announced.The official opening ceremony was officiated by Guest of Honour Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Minister in PrimeMinister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and Transport, and TNT CEO Peter Bakker.
The TNT Regional Hub, covering 7,334 sqm and located next to the cargo apron, is nearly threetimes larger than the previous facility and is Singapore’s first integrated air and road hub. TheRegional Hub, employing 110 staff, benefits from upgraded features such as more loading andunloading bays, a new material handling system, extended warehouse space and improved securitysystems. Up to 2,300 parcels per hour, 9,200 documents per hour and up to 350 tonnes of cargo a daycan be handled at the facility.
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 Boeing747-400ER Freighter en route from TNT’s European air hub in Liege, Belgium to Shanghai, China. Thenew expanded facility also links TNT’s air services directly to the company’s unique, 5,000 mileAsia Road Network (ARN), the region’s only fully-managed and operated land-based express freightservice route. The ARN stretches across 125 cities in five countries -Singapore, Malaysia,Thailand, Indochina (including Vietnam) and China.
At the opening ceremony, Mrs Lim said: “The logistics sector has always been a key pillar ofSingapore’s economy, both as an industry and as an enabler. I am heartened that in spite of theeconomic downturn, TNT has sought to invest in the future by further expanding their presence andcapabilities in Singapore. The TNT Regional Hub will boost our logistics industry and contribute toSingapore’s value proposition as a leading cargo hub as well as a world-class logistics hub.”
Peter Bakker, CEO of TNT, commented: “Asia is a promising market and we are committed anddetermined to grow our position in domestic, intra-regional and selected intercontinental expressflows even further. The launch of the regional hub in Singapore – a critical business hub for theregion – is a key milestone in TNT’s global strategy to establish leading position in emergingplatforms, including Asia.”
Onno Boots, Regional Managing Director for TNT Asia, said: “Our success in building anintegrated air and road network, connecting Southeast Asia, China and Europe means TNT can offer awider range of services to a wider range of customers than ever before. Together with the recentinvestments in our Singapore depot and customer contact centre, enhanced depots in Southeast Asiaand the extensive developments to our connectivity in China, this demonstrates our determination tobuild our offer across Asia. This means a quality alternative choice for their express freightneeds.”
