APM Terminals launches integrated cold chain facility in South India

The Dollar Business Bureau

International container terminal operating company, APM Terminals launches South India’s first cold storage facility integrated with a container freight station, for reliable transport of temperature controlled cargo such food products and medicines.

“APM Terminals inaugurated its first state-of-the-art cold storage warehouse in India, which will ensure reliable and stable transport of cargo, including goods such as fish, fruits, medicines, and specialty chemicals, which require strict temperature control throughout the supply chain,” the company said in a statement.

Located in Ponneri city, near Chennai, the facilities were inaugurated by M Ajit Kumar, Chief Commissioner of Customs, Chennai Zone, in the presence of Dries van Dongen, Global Head - Inland Services, APM Terminals.  

Commenting on the development, Dongen said, “We are committed to providing integrated specialty warehousing services globally. India has seen an increasing demand for temperature and humidity-controlled products, especially frozen foods and pharmaceutical products for both domestic consumption as well as international export.”

“In line with this trend, we’ve invested not only in offering global standards of cold chain solutions, but also export-import cold chain solutions within our container freight station, for the first time in South India,” said Dongen.

The facilities will provide refrigerated container plug-in facilities for cold warehousing with services ranging from customs examination and clearance under controlled temperature, value-added services like palletization and packaging, on-wheel customs seal verification, and bonded cargo movement to different seaports and airports,” the statement said.

“The services are available for both domestic and international import/export customers,” it added.

Spread over 10,000 sq. meters, the cold chain solutions facility is the first of its kind in South India as it is integrated with APM Terminals’ container freight station.

The facility will also provide customs clearance facilitation and proximity to the ports of Chennai, Ennore, Kattupalli and Krishnapattnam with round the clock accessibility.

An additional cold chain solutions facility for domestic use has been built in close proximity to the container freight station.