A STUDY ON CARGO HANDLING PROCESS IN THE WAREHOUSES OF DMR SHIPPING SERVICES

Effective cargo handling constitutes a decisive operational pillar within the logistics and supply chain ecosystem. This paper will explore how Starr Logistics, a mid-scale logistics company in Chennai, India, handles its cargo at its warehouses. The study tests the efficiency of the Warehouse management system (WMS) and Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology installed in the firm. It examines how these technologies, when used collectively, have contributed to warehouse throughput, inventory accuracy, and employee operational competence. Primary data were gathered using a structured five-point Likert-scale questionnaire administered to 109 employees, with a quantitative, descriptive-cum-exploratory research design. The data were analyzed with the use of statistical methods such as Cronbach’s Alpha reliability analysis, Chi-Square test of independence, one-way Analysis of Variance ANOVA, and Independent Samples t-test through IBM SPSS Statistics (v. 20). The Alpha coefficient of Cronbach, 0.851, proves high internal consistency of the scale. The Chi-Square test indicates a statistically significant correlation between educational level and perception of equipment-handling training among the respondents (χ² = 6.703, 4 df = 0.152 p). The one-way ANOVA shows no statistically significant difference among age groups in warehouse utilization satisfaction (F = 0.860, p = 0.490). The Independent Samples t-test shows that there is no gender difference in container preference (t = -0.724, df = 107, p = 0.471). Although the net WMS and RFID implementation has improved operational performance, structural enhancements in workforce training, space optimization, and security infrastructure are suggested to attain operational excellence.