Maersk transforms a warehouse at its Chennai CFS into an all-women-operated facility

The announcement of the transformation comes as Maersk celebrates 15 years of successful CFS operations in Chennai

Chennai: A.P. Moller - Maersk (Maersk) today announced the transformation of one of its warehouses at its Container Freight Station (CFS) in Ponneri, Chennai, into a women-operated facility, coinciding with the station's 15th-anniversary celebrations. This strategic move will see one complete shift operated entirely by women employees, marking a significant step forward in Maersk's commitment to diversity and inclusion. It aligns firmly with India’s ambition to create equal employment opportunities for women, even in sectors that have been traditionally male-dominated.

The 125,000-square-foot 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 women's representation at the CFS from 3% to 13% of the total workforce, with women comprising 21% of the workforce in the transformed warehouse.

The initiative builds on Maersk's experience from its Dadri facility, which was the first of its kind, entirely operated by women facility and demonstrated improved productivity and operational efficiency. Maersk has implemented comprehensive training programs covering customs procedures, material handling, and professional and personal safety to ensure success. The company has also focused on developing specific competencies required for CFS operations, making it possible for women to excel in traditionally male-dominated roles.

This transformation comes at a significant moment as Maersk celebrates its century-long presence in India. The company's commitment to Tamil Nadu extends beyond business operations, with its Global Service Centre employing over 3,000 professionals and partners with institutions like AMET University to train the next generation of seafarers.

During the 15th anniversary celebrations and announcement of the all-women-operated shift of the warehouse, Maersk donated laptops to the Government Higher Secondary School, Annupampatu, near Ponneri, where the Maersk CFS and Warehouses operate, thus giving back to the community.

About Maersk

A.P. Moller - Maersk is an integrated logistics company  working to connect and simplify its customers’ supply chains. As a global leader in logistics services, the company operates in more than 130 countries and employs around 100,000 people. Maersk is aiming to reach net zero GHG emissions by 2040 across the entire business with new technologies, new vessels, and reduced GHG emissions fuels*.

*Maersk defines "reduced GHG emissions fuels" as fuels with at least 65% reductions in GHG emissions on a lifecycle basis compared to fossil of 94 g CO2e/MJ.