#IndianNavy launches Operation #SamudraSetu_II to augment ongoing national mission #OxygenExpress.
Mission deployed warships will undertake shipment of liquid #Oxygen filled cryogenic containers & associated medical equipment in support of nation’s #FightAgainstCOVID19 (1/2). pic.twitter.com/fLRWobOp7U— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) April 30, 2021
With the country facing a severe scarcity of medical oxygen and as a result of a massive increase in new Covid-19 cases, the Indian Navy has launched operation ‘Samudra Setu-II’ to bring oxygen-filled cryogenic containers from abroad to India.
According to an Indian Navy spokesperson, mission-deployed Indian Naval warships will ship liquid oxygen-filled cryogenic containers and associated medical equipment.
“The Indian Navy has launched Operation Samudra Setu-II, which will supplement the ongoing national mission Oxygen Express. In support of the nation’s fight against Covid-19, mission-deployed warships will ship liquid oxygen-filled cryogenic containers and associated medical equipment.”
According to the Defence Ministry, the first batch of ships, INS Kolkata and INS Talwar, were immediately diverted for the task and arrived in Bahrain’s port of Manama on April 30. While the INS Talwar, carrying 40 metric tonnes of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO), is returning to India. INS Kolkata has proceeded to Doha, Qatar, for embarking medical supplies and will subsequently head to Kuwait for embarking Liquid Oxygen tanks.
On the Eastern seaboard, INS Airavat has been diverted for the task, while INS Jalashwa has been pulled out of maintenance, and sailed out to augment the supply of oxygen gas.
INS Airavat is scheduled to enter Singapore for embarking Liquid oxygen tanks and INS Jalashwa is standing by in the region to embark medical stores at short notice.
The second batch of ships comprising Kochi, Trikand and Tabar missions deployed in Arabian sea has also been diverted to join the national effort.
From the Southern Naval Command, the landing ship tank INS Shardul is being readied to join the Operation within 48 hours.
“The navy also has the surge capability to deploy more ships if the need arises,” an official statement said.