The Indian Navy warship INS Shardul on Thursday sailed into Kochi harbour with a consignment of four containers carrying 80 metric tonnes of liquid medical oxygen from the Gulf to support the country’s fight against Covid-19.
The consignment forms part of the Operation Samudra Setu-II launched by the Indian Navy for shipment of medical oxygen-filled cryogenic containers and associated medical equipment from various countries in support of the nation’s fight against Covid-19, the defence ministry said in a statement.
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As part of the operation, INS Shardul has brought in 270 metric tonnes (MT) of liquid medical oxygen from Kuwait and UAE including 11 International Standardisation Organisation (ISO) containers, two semi trailers and 1200 oxygen cylinders. The ship arrived at New Mangalore Port on May 25 and disembarked 190 MT of liquid medical oxygen comprising seven ISO containers, two semi trailers and 1200 oxygen cylinders.
The deployment of frontline warships including destroyers, frigates, tankers and amphibious ships of the Indian Navy for Operation Samudra Setu-II forms a significant part of the multiple lines of efforts, by the Government and the Indian Navy to increase the oxygen stocks available in the country as demand has surged due to the second Covid-19 wave.
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An amphibious ship capable of carrying troops, armoured tanks, vehicles and armament for amphibious operations, INS Shardul is a versatile platform, also capable of undertaking humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. The ship attached to the First Training Squadron of the Indian Navy based at Kochi, has actively participated in multiple humanitarian relief operations by the Indian Navy in the recent past. These include transhipment of 600 MT of rice to Antsiranana, Madagascar as humanitarian aid in March last year and repatriation of 233 Indian citizens from Iran during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic in June last year as part of Operation Samudra Setu-I, by the Indian Navy.
Deployment of INS Shardul for Op Samudra Setu-II demonstrates the commitment and resolve of the Southern Naval Command and the Indian Navy, to support our countrymen in the battle against COVID-19 in line with the spirit of 'Har Kaam Desh Ke Naam,’ the defence ministry said.
