Mumbai Airport opens world’s largest and fully automated Export Cold Zone

February 25, 2020: GVK led Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL) managing the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) launched the world’s largest airport-based temperature-controlled facility – Export Cold Zone. The terminal encompasses unique facilities for the processing and storage of Agro and Pharma products.

Capacity
The facility can hold over 700 tons at one-time with a combined annual throughput of 5,25,000 tons. The fully automated infrastructure caters to the ever-burgeoning demand for pharmaceutical and agricultural goods. The Export Cold Zone is equipped with Truck docks with dock-levellers, spacious acceptance & examination area, automated work stations, X-Ray machines, ULD storage, Ballmat system for ULD transfer and cold rooms.

"Understanding the rapidly changing climatic changes and compliance requirements, GVK MIAL has ensured that the Pharma Excellence Centre offers an optimal temperature-controlled solution to Export Pharma products and enables advance technology to expedite handling and quick aircraft connection for transit Pharma. The state-of-the-art facility handling both active and passive temperature-controlled Pharma movements, offer customer-specific solutions, end-to-end integrated digital systems and has a team of experienced, dedicated and well-trained staff," says the release.

“CSMIA is the largest gateway for Pharma & Agro products in India. Operated by its business partner “Cargo Service Centre (CSC)”, the leading cargo handling service provider in India, having a combination of operational excellence and domain expertise is committed to ensuring seamless handling,” said the release.

The facility was inaugurated by Sungita Sharma, Principal Chief Commissioner of Customs, Central GST in the presence of Bhavna Singh, Deputy Director-General, Ministry of Civil Aviation and V. Rama Mathew, Chief Commissioner of Customs, Mumbai Zone – III.

Cooltainer
Furthermore, GVK MIAL, a strategic member for Pharma.Aero, introduced an indigenous temperature-controlled transport solution “Cooltainer” for pharmaceutical products on the airport tarmac region in December 2019. The Cooltainer, world’s largest cold chain solution on the airport tarmac can accommodate two main-deck or two lower-deck pallets or a combination of both offering temperature range of +15°C to +25°C or +2°C to +8°C as per product requirement.

GVK MIAL is the first airport in India and third in Asia to obtain “IATA CEIV Pharma” accreditation, a global industry recognition supporting the air transport industry and is in full compliance with the pharmaceutical manufacturers requirements. As a leading airport in terms of e-freight and Pharma developments, GVK MIAL aims to cement Mumbai Airport’s foothold further in air freight supply chain capitalizing on all the business opportunities. MIAL is creating a comprehensive digital and temperature corridor between Mumbai and CEIV certified airports powered by GMAX.