A.P. Moller – Maersk has transformed its warehouse at the Container Freight Station (CFS) in Ponneri, Chennai, into a women-operated facility, underscoring its commitment to diversity, inclusion, and equal employment opportunities for women in traditionally male-dominated industries.
The 11,613-square-metre warehouse will now feature women in all operational roles, including loading/unloading, picking, surveying, security, housekeeping, administration, and forklift operations. This initiative will significantly increase women’s representation at the CFS from 3% to 13%, with 21% of employees in the revamped warehouse being women.
Building on the success of Maersk’s Dadri facility in Uttar Pradesh, India’s first all-women-operated warehouse, the Chennai initiative is expected to further enhance 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,” said Christopher Cook, Managing Director of Maersk South Asia.
To ensure a smooth transition, Maersk has implemented comprehensive training programs covering customs procedures, material handling, safety, and skill development, empowering women to excel in their roles.
This transformation coincides with Maersk’s celebration of 100 years in India and its deepening commitment to Tamil Nadu. Beyond operations, Maersk’s Global Service Centre in Tamil Nadu employs over 3,000 professionals, and the company collaborates with AMET University to train future seafarers.
As part of the anniversary and the launch of the women-operated warehouse, Maersk donated laptops to the Government Higher Secondary School in Annupampatu, near the Ponneri CFS, furthering its commitment to community development.
Maersk’s initiatives set a powerful example of how logistics and traditionally male-dominated sectors can integrate gender diversity to drive operational and societal progress.
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