TNT plans nineteen road transhipment hubs

TNT India, an integrated logistics and express company, is planning to roll out 19 dedicated road transhipment hubs by the next month. The company has also plans to start dedicated freighters from India at a later stage.

"At present, the company is offering air network solutions for carrying documents, freight and parcels. Now, we will be setting up exclusive road network in India by mid-March," said TNT India Managing Director Abhik Mitra.

TNT India, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dutch integrated distribution company TNT NV, would have 144 pick-up centres across the country, including 19 road transhipment depots by the end of 2006.

TNT India is also looking for strategic partner in the country to expand its network, though nothing has been finalised yet.

"We will make an investment of over ¤100 million in the next five years in India and a significant portion of the investment will be for expanding road network," Mitra said.

Mitra said road network plans are in line with the parent company where the entire country would be connected by road transhipment depots with space ranging from 10,000 to 25,000 sq ft supported by a fleet of 1,000 vehicles.

He said the company would source these vehicles from various vendors. However, the staff would be using TNT uniform and brand products.

"The road network will be connected by air network to other global destinations. We are also exploring options to launch dedicated freighters in the country as the volume picks up," Mitra said.

TNT India's parent company is flying 40 frieghters across the world. The company is also planning to connect some freighters to India at a later stage, he added.

Mitra informed that TNT India would be using the same IT network used by its parent company for managing Indian air and road network operations.