US – INDIA – 7 November should see the first of a shipment of seven, 40 foot containers arrive in the subcontinent, destined firstly for the King George Medical University, Lucknow, for devanning, and subsequent distribution to regional towns and villages in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
What makes these boxes stand out from the crowd is the fact that whilst global freight rates sky rocket, each of the containers was shipped from the US to India at a rate of just $1 each. The generosity comes courtesy of the Maersk Special Project Logistics (SPL) unit after an appeal from the Princeton Foundation for Peace & Learning.
The cargo is much needed supplies to assist in the Covid 19 pandemic which has swept the country and include oxygen concentrators, oxygen generators, PPEs and other medical requisites. Christelle Delenclos, Head of North America Aid and Relief Business Development for Maersk Special Project Logistics, said:
“Maersk SPL has assisted numerous humanitarian aid missions for Covid-19 and our coordinated, end-to-end, single point of contact service for the Princeton Foundation and Government of India is indeed an important honour and privilege.”
Maersk SPL teams in the US 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.
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 and Dr Ashutosh Pathak, founder of Princeton Foundation for Peace & Learning, commented:
”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 Integrated Goods and Service Tax.”
Photo: King George Medical University, Lucknow.
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