TNT’s Asia road network extended into Cambodia

TNT marks fifth year of the Asia Road Network with a further injection of USD 5.5 million over next two years

TNT’s Asia road network extended into Cambodia
Source www.investincambodia.com/transport.htm

First fully-integrated express road service to and from Phnom Penh, Cambodia...

In 2009 TNT announced the extension of its successful Asia Road Network (ARN) into Cambodia, adding more than 1,500km to an existing 6,000km road network running from Singapore to Thailand to China.

The move establishes TNT as the only express integrator to provide a fully-integrated, scheduled, door-to-door, express road service to and from the country’s capital in Phnom Penh. Via TNT’s road hub in the city, the ARN connects seamlessly to TNT’s nationwide domestic network across Cambodia and then on to Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City.

Onno Boots, regional managing director, TNT Asia said, “Due to restricted airlift capacity and limited sailings at the country’s main sea port, TNT’s Asia Road Network (ARN) will boost the connectivity of Cambodia to the rest of south-east Asia, Asia as a whole and China and Europe through our integrated air and road hubs in Singapore and Bangkok. It is also a viable cost-effective alternative for customers sending goods to and from Cambodia.”

Customers can also look forward to cost-savings of up to 30 per cent when they use TNT’s Asia Road Network as opposed to airlifting. Transportation by road with TNT is also on average three times faster than sending by sea.

Sjaak de Klein, TNT country manager for Cambodia added, “In tandem with Cambodia’s strong growth, TNT continues to make strategic investments that will enhance our integrated connectivity and benefit customers. We not only expect to emerge as the strongest player here, but as a world-class integrator who provides reliable, innovative and cost effective transportation services to boost trade into and out of Cambodia.”

Launched at the end of 2005, TNT’s Asia Road Network today operates in 127 cities across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and China through an integrated, door-to-door road service.
Boasting a real-time Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) tracking of TNT’s container trucks, TNT has seen a strong double-digit growth in overall volumes transported on the ARN. The growth has been largely driven by customers moving high-value and time-sensitive goods in the high-tech, healthcare and equipment and machinery sectors.

TNT
TNT provides businesses and consumers worldwide
with an extensive range of services for their mail and
express delivery needs. Headquartered in the Netherlands, TNT offers efficient network infrastructures in Europe and Asia and is expanding operations worldwide to maximise its network performance. TNT serves more than 200 countries and employs more than 163,000 people. TNT is officially quoted on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange.

www.tnt.com

Cambodian Railways

Cambodia's rail network was built in 1929 and was last upgraded in the 1960s. Three decades of conflict destroyed or damaged much of the system. Under a $73 million reconstruction plan, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has loaned part of the money to refurbish 594 kilometres of line. A further 48 kilometres of destroyed track will be replaced. The government and other international partners are also contributing funds. In December 2009 ADB approved another $42 million investment. With this additional financing, freight trains will begin operating between Kampot, near the border with Vietnam, and the capital Phnom Penh in 2011. “This upgraded rail network will position Cambodia as a true sub-regional transport hub, creating new jobs and business opportunities in the manufacturing and logistic services sectors,” said Peter Broch, an ADB Senior Transport Economist.

Taxi-metres

A second taxi-metre company began operations in Phnom Penh in 2009. South Korean-owned Trans Choice Cambodia is investing $3 million to purchase a fleet of 20 vehicles and employ and train 60 drivers.

New road - Phnom Penh to Thailand

National Road 4 linking Phnom Penh to Thailand via Koh Kong has been surfaced and five bridges built. The route is used mostly by light traffic at present.