The broader integrated supply chain strategy is driving industry investment in Indian inland logistics verticals.
The latest move comes from DP World. The Dubai-based terminal giant has opened a large warehouse on the outskirts of Mumbai at Bhiwandi.
“This new facility elevates DP World’s warehousing capability to 5+ million sq. ft. of warehousing space pan India,” the company said in a statement.
The 380,000-square-foot site has the necessary infrastructure to store hazardous cargo and temperature-controlled goods.
“A partition divides the entire warehouse into two sections – one spans 1,90,000 sq. ft. and is specially designed for hazardous chemical storage, complete with heavy-duty G+8 level racking and state-of-the-art very early smoke detection apparatus (VESDA),” DP World explained.
The company further noted: “This adaptable section offers an impressive capacity of 20,000 pallet positions for the normal temperature zone, along with an additional 1,000 pallet positions for the 20 to 25-degree temperature-controlled area, which can be further expanded when needed.
It went on to add: “The second section covers 1,50,000 sq. ft. and is dedicated to non-chemical storage. Additionally, the warehouse includes a 40,000 sq. ft. separate area featuring two distinct cold storage rooms.”
The latest investment is another sign that DP World is looking to tap anticipated trade growth out of India as the emerging economy expands at a healthy rate, arguably the fastest.
“The addition of the state-of-the-art warehouse in Bhiwandi in the DP World network will not only expand our robust infrastructure but will also enable us to aid our customers in achieving greater connectivity between global and domestic markets,” said Anoop Chauhan, Head – Contract Logistics & Cold Chain Solutions DP World, Subcontinent.
DP World recently signed a concession deal to build and operate a container terminal at Kandla Port, extending its Indian market reach.
In recent years, the company has also significant strides in the operation of container trains connecting major Indian ports. The Dubai-based company already operates box terminals at Nhava Sheva (JNPT), Mundra, Chennai and Cochin.
A.P. Moler-Maersk has also been on an investment spree to ramp up its inland footprint in India, adding new warehouse locations across the country.
Meanwhile, APM Terminals Mumbai, also known as Gateway Terminals India (GTI), has returned to its full capacity after completion of the equipment upgrade programme it embarked on a year earlier. APMT/GTI is one of five terminals in Nhava Sheva Port (JNPT).
“The commissioning of new cranes will enable the terminal to accommodate and turn around larger vessels safely and quickly,” the terminal operator said in a customer advisory.
The installation of new container-handling equipment, including six ship-to-shore cranes and three rail-mounted gantry cranes, has boosted the terminal annual throughput capacity to nearly 2.2 million TEUs, a 10% addition from the pre-upgrade level.
“We are keen to welcome larger vessels and we ensure to turn around the vessels safely and efficiently to support Indian trade,” said Sunay Mukerjee, COO of GTI.
Jenny Daniel
Global Correspondent
Contact email: j.daniel@container-news.com
