APM Terminals Inland Services' integrated Inland Container Depot (ICD) and supply chain solutions facility at Chakan, Pune has achieved a significant first after being awarded an environmental clearance certificate by the Indian government.
The certification authorises the facility to store, handle, transport, and deliver hazardous chemicals in any form – a critical requirement for all industries dealing with chemicals in domestic and international trade and a key safeguard for the environment.
The achievement marks a significant milestone for our operations as it is the first time it has been awarded to an ICD in India.
“The certification of the Chakan facility lays testimony to the capabilities and standards built by APM Terminals Inland Services to address a pressing industry need ahead of the growth curve," said Ajit Venkataraman, APM Terminals Inland Services, South Asia Managing Director.
India is the third largest chemical producer in Asia and its domestic industry is projected to reach $403bn by 2025. The growing gap between the urgent need for qualified service providers and their availability has posed a continuous challenge to players there.
“We are committed to constantly raising the bar on safety, environmental and effective solutions for our customers. We realised that the lack of facilities with environmental clearance for storage and handling of chemical cargo was impeding various regional industries and manufacturers from taking their business to the next level. We are glad to have met all the requirements of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change," said Venkataraman.
Chakan is one of India's fastest growing hubs for industrial development and home to many manufacturers which use chemicals.
APM Terminals Inland Services' facility is equipped with a yard capable of handling 60,000 containers annually. It has a bonded and non-bonded export-import warehouse and a domestic warehouse as well as services including customs clearance, empty container acceptance, transportation solutions and container repairs.
“We are now looking forward to further strengthening our customers' chemical supply chains by providing safe and sustainable solutions, minimising the associated risks and making business easier to do," said Venkataraman.
The purpose of the environmental clearance certificate is to identify, examine, assess and evaluate the likely and probable impacts of a proposed project or activity on the environment. It also looks at working out remedial action plans to minimise any adverse impacts on the environment and ensure the safety of employees, visitors, contractors and the communities that we impact.
