A.P. Moller – Maersk has transformed one of its warehouses at the Container Freight Station (CFS) in Ponneri, Chennai, into a women-operated facility.
This initiative marks a significant milestone in Maersk’s dedication to diversity and inclusion, advancing India’s goal of promoting equal employment opportunities for women, particularly in traditionally male-dominated industries.
The approximately 11,613 square meters warehouse will now feature women employees in all operational roles, including loading/unloading, picking, surveying, security, housekeeping, administration, and forklift operations.
As a result, women’s representation at the CFS will grow from 3% to 13% of the overall workforce, with 21% of employees in the transformed warehouse being women. This builds on Maersk’s success at its Dadri facility, India’s first all-women-operated warehouse, which showcased improvements in productivity and operational efficiency.
“This transformation isn’t just about changing our operations; it’s about challenging the status quo and setting new standards in the logistics industry. Following the remarkable success of our first women-operated warehouse in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh, we are confident that this initiative will not only enhance operational excellence but also create meaningful employment opportunities for women in Chennai’s logistics sector,” stated Christopher Cook, Managing Director of Maersk South Asia.
Moreover, to ensure a seamless transition, Maersk has introduced extensive training programs focused on customs procedures, material handling, safety, and skill development for CFS operations, empowering women to excel in these roles.
The transformation coincides with Maersk’s celebration of 100 years in India and highlights its commitment to Tamil Nadu. Beyond business operations, Maersk’s Global Service Centre in the state employs over 3,000 professionals and collaborates with AMET University to train future seafarers.
As part of the anniversary celebrations and the launch of the women-operated shift, Maersk contributed laptops to the Government Higher Secondary School in Annupampatu, near the Ponneri CFS, demonstrating its commitment to community development.
