Con-way Freight, TNT form international venture

A new multi-modal joint venture for expediting heavy intercontinental shipments between Europe and the U.S. is being rolled out by LTL carrier Con-way Freight and TNT.

The new service links up TNT's European trucking network with intercontinental air cargo uplift and Con-way Freight's day-definite delivery network for LTL freight in the U.S. to provide a fast-response, expedited door-to-door service initially for heavy freight shipments originating in Europe with a destination to any city in the U.S., said John Labrie, president of Con-way Freight.

"This strategic alliance with TNT further expands our capabilities to serve the international needs of our customers – a key differentiator in today's global economy," Labrie said. "We're both playing to our strengths, with shippers realizing significant benefit from a highly reliable, cost-effective service that can reduce overall logistics costs, shorten supply cycles and accelerate product to market."

In the program's first phase, TNT will manage cargo pickup through 414 depots in more than 33 European countries, then consolidate, tender and manage direct intercontinental air cargo service into the U.S., along with customs clearance and deconsolidation at TNT's U.S. gateway at New York's Kennedy International Airport.

Cargoes will then be expedited into Con-way Freight's U.S. network of 300 terminals via the carrier's Brooklyn, NY, service center as LTL shipments for direct-to-door delivery to final destination. The alliance establishes Con-way Freight as TNT's primary transportation network provider in the U.S., and offers both companies the opportunity to explore and develop an expanded range of international freight services under their own brands.

This isn't the first international venture for Con-way, as it provides inbound less-than-container (LCL)/LTL transportation from seven major origin cities in Asia to all points in the continental U.S. and Canada through its "OceanGuaranteed" program, established with APL Logistics in 2006.