CARGOCONNECT-APRIL2026 - Flipbook - Page 70
Panel 5
Crisis-Proofing Hazardous Logistics, Storage
and Handling
“In a volatile global landscape shaped
by tightening regulations, ESG
expectations and increasing safety
scrutiny, hazardous logistics is no
longer just an operational function. It
has become a strategic risk management responsibility. When handling
hazardous chemicals, organisations
are not simply moving cargo; they
are managing risk, compliance,
environmental impact, corporate
reputation and, most importantly, human safety. The focus therefore
must be on building robust end-to-end emergency response frameworks,
strengthening training and safety culture to enable zero-incident operations,
learning from global best practices, leveraging scale and safety through
ISO tank container solutions and harmonising safety and maintenance
protocols across regions. In practice, exposure to on-ground realities, such
as observing manual cleaning processes inside ISO tank systems highlights
the intensity and complexity of hazardous logistics operations. These
experiences reinforce the importance of continuously improving safety
standards and operational awareness across the value chain.”
“Organisations aligned with the
Responsible Care programme typically
demonstrate stronger preparedness
frameworks, but broader adoption
across the industry is still needed. Drivers, in particular, play a crucial role
in 昀椀rst-level incident response. If they
are properly briefed using information
from the Safety Data Sheet, especially
transport-related sections covering
hazard characteristics and emergency
actions, they are better equipped to respond e昀昀ectively during accidents.
Training should therefore be made mandatory and extended beyond
industry personnel to include stakeholders such as toll plaza operators,
transport workers, emergency responders and healthcare institutions.
On-road emergency preparedness still faces practical constraints due to
the requirement for multiple local permissions, including approvals from
district authorities, police departments and 昀椀re services. A structured and
rapid response mechanism is equally essential; however, supporting facilities
for managing such incidents, particularly on road networks, remain limited
in many regions and require further strengthening.”
“India does not yet have an equally
comprehensive and product-speci昀椀c
regulatory structure for hazardous
goods transport by road. Instead,
compliance is guided primarily by
the Central Motor Vehicles Rules and
related provisions such as petroleum
and hazardous transport rules, which
are not always as detailed or stringent,
particularly with respect to productspeci昀椀c transport requirements. As
a result, organisations often need to develop their own internal protocols
to determine vehicle suitability, packaging integrity and operational safety
requirements for di昀昀erent hazardous products. Meanwhile, though operational
infrastructure exists and enables hazardous cargo movement across India
and international corridors, specialised testing and certi昀椀cation facilities for
equipment integrity and compliance remain limited. Driver capability and
compliance also represent a signi昀椀cant challenge in road-based hazardous
logistics. Although regulatory provisions de昀椀ne quali昀椀cation expectations
for drivers transporting dangerous goods, ensuring consistent availability of
fully compliant and specialised drivers for every movement remains di昀케cult.”
“Fatalities caused by unintended chemical
reactions after uncontrolled disposal
prompted regulatory authorities like the
Maharashtra Pollution Control Board
and the Central Pollution Control Board
to strengthen oversight and expand
classification norms for certain byproducts. While these measures enhance
safety, they also make compliance more
demanding for industries that must
now follow stricter approval procedures
before transferring or reusing such materials. Meanwhile, though certi昀椀cation requirements exist for transporting dangerous goods, training is often
limited to documentation-level compliance rather than practical emergency
preparedness. ICC, in collaboration with Nicer Globe, are working to strengthen
driver training and monitoring systems. At the institutional level, specialised
driver training and research centres are expanding across multiple states.
However, safety awareness must extend beyond drivers to include the broader
community. For example, transport emergency codes such as TREM card code
markings are not always widely understood at the 昀椀eld level. Strengthening
awareness among 昀椀rst responders and local authorities is therefore essential
to reduce environmental and public safety risks during incidents.”
RAKESH SAROJ, Head– EXIM & Trade Compliance, Coraplus India
DINESH PATEL, DGM– Integrated Logistics (Liquids & Gas), Petrochem
Div., Reliance Industries
70 | CARGOCONNECT APRIL 2026
MILIND MUSALE, GM– EHS & Sustainability, Vinati Organics
ASHOK K KEKUNNAYA, Head– HSE, Gujarat Insecticides
