Essex Marine Ltd has commenced integrated cold chain logistics operations under the brand DE SENS COLDSTORE, signalling a strategic transition from a rental-based cold storage model to a fully integrated, end-to-end cold chain solutions platform. The move replaces previous arrangements in which cold storage was operated on a rental basis and third-party logistics providers handled transportation and distribution.

Going forward, the company will directly provide comprehensive cold chain logistics services including storage, transportation and distribution with full operational control, and customer engagement and billing undertaken exclusively by the company. To ensure professional execution, an experienced operations team from Logistore has been engaged to provide operational expertise and manpower support while ownership, branding, commercial responsibility and overall control remain solely with the company.

As part of the initial phase of implementation the company proposes to lease four refrigerated vehicles and to purchase a 12 tonne (t) refrigerated truck which together will form the foundation of its in-house cold chain logistics fleet. Additional refrigerated vehicles are proposed to be inducted over the next four to six months to scale operations in line with anticipated demand.

The company also proposes to expand its cold chain logistics operations into the North-Eastern region of India, commencing with Siliguri followed by Guwahati, thereby strengthening its regional distribution footprint. Management expects the strategic shift to enhance logistics-driven revenues within the next financial year, improve operational efficiencies across the supply chain and position DE SENS COLDSTORE as a comprehensive and professionally managed cold chain solutions provider.

Essex Marine Ltd is a modern seafood processing and exporting company that operates as an integrated player across the processed frozen fish and shrimp supply chain from raw procurement and processing to overseas distribution. The company exports frozen fish and shrimp to China, Europe and Israel, has over 16 years of history in the sector and operates a dry and cold store centrally located in Kolkata for storing a variety of frozen food items.