A.P. Möller-Maersk announced two big milestones on its ESG goals this week, both through transformations of its existing operations.
First, the company announced that it has made one entire shift working at one of its warehouses at its Container Freight Station (CFS) in Ponneri, Chennai, India into an all-woman shift.
Today, women represent only 1.2% of the workforce in the shipping industry. At Maersk’s warehouse facility, women represented 3% of the workforce. With this change, they will represent 13% of the total workforce and 21% of the workforce in this warehouse.
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 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 a first-of-its kind facility, entirely operated by women, which 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.
Converting a Ship to Methanol
Maersk also announced that the container ship Maersk Halifax has been converted into a dual-fuel vessel able to operate on methanol, fuel that promises emissions reductions of 60-95% compared to fossil fuels. Though the company has ordered a fleet of dual-fuel methanol ships, it said this is the first large vessel on which such a retrofit has been completed. The Zhoushan Xinya Shipyard in China conducted the retrofit over 88 days.
Leonardo Sonzio, Head of Fleet Management and Technology at Maersk, said the engine conversion was done by MAN Energy Solutions. The retrofit included new fuel tanks, fuel preparation room and fuel supply system and expansion of the hull to accommodate the fuel tanks. The length of the ship was extended by 15 meters to 368 meters.
“Since we set the ambitious climate goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2040, we have explored the potential in retrofitting existing vessels with dual-fuel engines. In the coming year, we will take learnings from this first conversion of a large vessel. Retrofits of existing vessels can be an important alternative to new builds in our transition from fossil fuels to low-emission fuels,” Sonzio said.
Maersk has strict requirements regarding its methanol which includes sourcing it from agriculture or farming residues rather than first harvests and using renewable energy to manufacture the fuel.
