Would you elaborate about the company and services offered from the facility located near Nhava Sheva Port with respect to cleaning facility, tank testing, and tank repair?

Zodiac Tank Container Terminals was commissioned in March 2021, is a Samsara Group company, one of the leading shipping agency and logistics organizations operating since 1996 in India. Zodiac Tank Container Terminals state-of-the-art facility was developed as a 'one-stop-shop' for all ISO tank container cleaning, maintenance & testing, and road tanker cleaning matching with world-class quality standards.

The facility has dedicated exclusive cleaning bays for ISO tank containers as well as for cleaning of road tankers and food grade ISO tanks. The facility is carefully planned and run by a competent workforce using a fully automatic ISO tank container cleaning system with advanced German technology from Weidner. The cleaning facility is strategically located on Mumbai to Pune Highway, about 55 km from Nhava Sheva port with an excellent connectivity through a toll-free road, old Mumbai-Pune highway and also Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

Key milestones achieved by Zodiac Tank Container Terminals in the last two years? What are your expansion plans for FY 2023-24?

Zodiac Tank Container Terminals is the only ISO tank container cleaning & maintenance facility in India with ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 certification. It is the only professional facility for cleaning of road tankers carrying edible oil/products and chemicals, which is fully compliant with environment protection regulations. It is the first such facility in India with a roof top solar power plant and our entire facility is running on solar power. The facility is also compliant with Kosher and Halal certification and Welders certified by Bureau Veritas. Recently, we have safely handled the T75 LNG gas tank at our facility. Zodiac is also signatory to Responsible Care.

Can you elaborate on the technology used in the facility – The German made cleaning machinery set-up from Weidner?

We are the first facility in India to have a fully automatic ISO tank container cleaning system with advanced German technology from Weidner. Weidner is a German company with over 40 years of experience in the special cleaning equipment. They have set standards in the cleaning equipment industry due to their innovation power and high quality. The system is user-friendly, high performance, low maintenance, robust and efficient. It has fully automatic cleaning procedures through various cleaning programs which can be done anytime by the operator. The Weidner cleaning plant also comprises a scrubber unit and steam generator.

How has been the response with respect to ISO tank and road tank cleaning facilities? How are you providing quality service?

The response is extremely good from various stakeholders in the trade. We have not only met their expectations but were able to provide world class cleaning, testing, and repair services in India which till date was not available.

Our quality services have prompted various customers to bring their ISO tank container across the globe to our facility in India for repairs and cleaning. This will help bring more business into India. Besides ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001, various reputed chemical manufacturers and global ISO tank operators have audited and approved the facility.

How do you ensure regulatory compliance with respect to achieving Zero Liquid Discharge?

Zodiac Tank Container Terminals is fully compliant with all applicable regulations and best global practices related to health, safety, quality, and environment. The company has an Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) which has Zero Liquid discharge consisting of aerators, double RO, electrode system & evaporators and issued a Red Category license by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board. Being ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 standards terminals, periodic audits help us in maintaining our standards.

Environmentally friendly technologies adopted by Zodiac to promote a clean and green environment? Key initiatives by the company to help customers achieve sustainable practices in the shipping and logistics sector?

We have set up the facility with an aim to provide an international standard of cleaning with environment care at its core. The German made tank cleaning equipment from Weidner is most efficient and has measures for noise containment, low energy consumption at high efficiency, use of biodegradable detergents, water and energy saving techniques, etc.

Our facility is fully compliant with all applicable statutory regulations including Maharashtra Pollution Control Board. This facility is first of its kind to operate on solar power in India. Zodiac Tank Container Terminals is an ISO 14001:2015 certified company and promotes and imbibes best practices in the environment. Customers using our facility are indirectly achieving sustainable practices in the logistics industry.

In 2022, the company successfully commissioned a 150 kWp rooftop solar power generation plant at its Khalapur facility. How does this facility help you in terms of providing green and clean energy?

Towards our initiative to promote a clean and green environment, Zodiac Tank Container Terminals has been at the forefront in adopting environmentally friendly technologies to safeguard nature, climate and communities. In 2022, we successfully commissioned a 150 kWp rooftop solar power generation plant at our facility. This initiative is first of its kind in the ISO tank container and road tanker cleaning & repair facility in India. Our depot is entirely consuming electricity generated from solar power plants. It has been recognized by our partner Oorja Solar which is a testimony towards our commitment to promote a cleaner environment and inspire communities to adopt similar methods.

How is the company developing highly customized services in collaboration with its customers? Any examples?

Zodiac has been on the forefront of providing customized services to its customers. Cleaning of road tankers carrying chemicals and edible oil/products in a fully environmentally compliant as per regulations is one such successfully developed service. For ISO tank containers, besides top-class cleaning standards including scrubbing/steam treatments we have created fully in-house capabilities of major repairs which are approved by reputed classification society/certifying authorities.

We will soon be commencing re-furnishment of ISO tank containers. With fully equipped workshops, professional welders/manpower, and world class quality standards, we are creating Zodiac Terminal as a cost effective hub in the region for carrying out extensive repairs of ISO tank containers, placing India on the map for many globally reputed ISO tank operators.

How is the company striking a balance between environment-friendly policies and sustainable growth in future?

It is very important for any chemical cleaning facility to comply with environment related policies applicable rules and regulations being fully implemented. We have been at the forefront in implementing various environment-friendly initiatives as mentioned earlier and we shall continue to do so with support from more chemical customers/ISO tank operators which are adopting such practices across their supply chains, which is a norm today, Zodiac Terminal is confident of achieving long term sustainable growth in this initiative.