Maersk is donating the services of its Special Project Logistics (SPL) unit and charging a symbolic nominal freight cost of $1 per 40’ container for urgently needed medical supplies to be distributed to medical facilities in India in response to COVID-19 related shortages.
"Several donors and organisations had donated supplies worth millions of dollars; however, they all were struggling with the shipment process disrupted by Covid. We thank Maersk and the Government of India profusely for enabling us to establish this streamlined pro bono international shipment and waiver of iGST. We look forward to working closely with donors, Maersk, and the Government of India in this humanitarian aid service," said Dr. Ashutosh Pathak, Founder of Princeton Foundation.
Urgent humanitarian assistance
Maersk SPL is experienced in urgent humanitarian assistance around the globe and assisting the Princeton Foundation in coordinating the donation of 7 x 40’ containers urgently needed in India which recently confronted a resurgence of the COVID-19.
The donations are being solicited by the Princeton Foundation for Peace & Learning, which is actively involved in philanthropic efforts globally. The supplies include oxygen concentrators, oxygen generators, PPEs and other medical supplies, destined to India.
Governmental medical colleges
Shipments will continue to be sent to the organisations designated by the Government of India
Maersk SPL has assisted numerous humanitarian aid missions for COVID-19 and their coordinated, end-to-end, single point of contact service for the Princeton Foundation and Government of India is indeed an important honour and privilege. said Christelle Delenclos, Head of North America Aid and Relief Business Development for Maersk Special Project Logistics.
The first shipments are underway and expected to arrive on 7th November 2021. Current cargo for North India is being sent to King George Medical University, Lucknow-Uttar Pradesh – which is one of the nation’s top governmental medical colleges in North India. The cargo will be consolidated at this location and then distributed to regional towns and villages in the states of Uttar Pradesh. Shipments will continue to be sent to the organisations designated by the Government of India and distributed across the nation.
Prioritising vessel space
Maersk SPL teams in the USA and in India are performing the full scope of logistics services including speaking to donors overseas by proactively contacting them, understanding their needs, handling the booking of cargo, ensuring and prioritising vessel space, customs clearance in India and last-mile transportation delivery in India.
The donations are from private entities: Harvard University’s Boston Children Hospital, BE Industries, Geisinger Health, Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and BAXT Cosmedical. In addition, several individual donors also supported the endeavour.