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A.P. Moller – Maersk has transformed one of the warehouses at its Container Freight Station (CFS) in Ponneri, Chennai, into a women-operated facility, coinciding with the station’s 15th anniversary. This move will see one complete shift operated entirely by female employees, representing a significant step forward in terms of Maersk’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. It also aligns with the Indian government’s ambition to create equal employment opportunities for women, even in sectors that have been traditionally male-dominated.
The 125,000ft2 warehouse facility will now employ women across all operational functions, including loading/unloading, picking, surveying, security, housekeeping, administration and forklift operations. This initiative will increase female representation at the CFS from 3% to 13% of the total workforce, with women comprising 21% of the workforce in the warehouse overall.
“This transformation isn’t just about changing our operations; it’s about challenging the status quo and setting new standards in the logistics industry,” said Christopher Cook, Managing Director, Maersk South Asia. “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.”
The initiative builds on Maersk’s experience from its Dadri facility, which was the first facility of its type to be entirely operated by women and which demonstrated improved productivity and operational efficiency. Maersk says it has also implemented a comprehensive rage of training programs covering customs procedures, materials handling and professional and personal safety, to ensure the success of this initiative.
