Maersk has flagged off a new weekly refrigerated rail service connecting Hyderabad’s pharmaceutical manufacturing hub to Nhava Sheva Port in partnership with Container Corporation of India (CONCOR).
The service will move temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products and other reefer cargo efficiently from inland container depots near Hyderabad to the major gateway port. It aims to provide a reliable, faster, and more sustainable alternative to road transport for exporters.
The weekly train service offers fixed-day departures and uses specialised refrigerated containers to maintain required temperatures throughout the journey. It reduces transit time and improves supply chain reliability for pharma shipments heading to global markets.
A Maersk India spokesperson said the new rail link strengthens the company’s integrated logistics offerings. The spokesperson added that it supports customers in the pharmaceutical sector with better control over temperature and faster port connectivity.
CONCOR officials noted that the service will help optimise cargo movement and reduce congestion on roads. The rail option also lowers carbon emissions compared to trucking the same volume of goods.
The service primarily targets pharmaceutical products that require strict temperature control. It connects key industrial areas in and around Hyderabad directly to Nhava Sheva (JNPT), one of India’s busiest container ports.
This initiative supports India’s growing pharmaceutical exports. Hyderabad is a major global pharma production centre, and reliable cold chain logistics is critical for maintaining product quality during export.
Maersk, a leading global shipping and logistics company, continues to expand its multimodal services in India. The partnership with CONCOR, India’s largest rail container operator, highlights growing efforts to shift cargo from road to rail for better efficiency and environmental benefits. The new weekly reefer service is expected to grow further based on customer demand.
