APL will provide non-profit relief and health organization Americares with free shipping of medicines and supplies for three years in celebration of the ocean carrier’s 170th anniversary.

According to APL, the partnership will see it delivering the equivalent of 170 TEUs of medicines and medical supplies from the United States to Bangladesh, Cambodia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Philippines through 2021.

“The gifting of 170 TEUs of ocean freight in aid of Americares has made APL’s 170th year of global shipping more meaningful,” said Nicolas Sartini, CEO of APL. “Through our collaboration with Americares, we seek to step up and support sustainable programmes that strengthen community health.”

Americares supports 4,000 health centres worldwide with life-changing health programmes, medicine and medical supplies. Most of the products Americares delivers are donated by corporate partners, including many of the world’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturers and distributors. Last year alone, the organization delivered 12.7 million prescriptions and 21 million medical supplies to healthcare providers in 97 countries.

“Our partnership with APL has saved Americares hundreds of thousands of dollars, allowing us to devote more resources to health programmes,” said Michael J. Nyenhuis, president and CEO of Americares. “We are pleased to continue the relationship and increase access to medicine and medical supplies for even more people affected by poverty or disaster.”

APL has been offering free ocean shipping of medicine and medical supplies for Americares since 2012. Since that time, APL has transported 90 Americares shipments to seven countries, delivering more than US$300 million in donated medicine and medical supplies for children and adults in need.