Maersk cuts container costs to US$1 for Covid-19 supplies in India

COPENHAGEN : Maersk is donating the services of its Special Project Logistics (SPL) unit and charging a symbolic nominal freight cost of US$1 per 40’ container for urgently needed medical supplies to be distributed to medical facilities in India in response to Covid-19 related shortages.

The first shipments are underway and expected to arrive on 7 November 2021 in India. 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.

“Several donors and organisations had donated supplies worth millions of dollars; however, they all were struggling with the shipment process disrupted by Covid,” said Dr. Ashutosh Pathak, founder of Princeton Foundation for Peace & Learning, which is actively involved in philanthropic efforts globally.

“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 & Service Tax (iGST),” added Dr. Ashutosh Pathak.

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 supplies include oxygen concentrators, oxygen generators, Personal Protective Equipment and other medical supplies, destined to 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 endeavor.

“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 prioritizing vessel space, customs clearance in India and last mile transportation delivery in India,” noted the Danish container shipping company in its announcement.