Mercy Ships to Build New Hospital Ship

MSC Group, MSC Foundation, and Mercy Ships International have agreed to construct a new hospital ship to provide free surgery and training to thousands in Africa annually.

The project, backed by a generous donation from MSC Foundation, will expand the Mercy Ships fleet, allowing the organization to increase its capacity for training and advocacy efforts.

Since its founding in 1978, Mercy Ships has performed over 117,000 specialized surgical procedures and trained over 54,300 local professionals. The new ship will have living spaces for approximately 600 crew members and guests, a two-deck hospital, six operating rooms, a fully equipped lab, and advanced training spaces.

The new purpose-built hospital ship, designed to similar specifications as the Global Mercy™ with a focus on designated training spaces, will allow Mercy Ships to increase its capacity to collaborate with host nations in training and advocacy efforts.

The new hospital ship will be built to similar specifications as the Global Mercy, the world’s largest and most sosphisticated civilian hospital ship. It will feature living spaces to accommodate approximately 600 crew members and guests on board. Its hospital will span two decks and 7,000 square metres, featuring six operating rooms, a fully equipped laboratory, and state-of-the-art training spaces such as a simulation lab.

“The investment of many around the world towards a fleet of hospital ships will be enhanced by the future of our new purpose-built vessel,” said Don Stephens, Founder of Mercy Ships. “The mission of Mercy Ships to bring Hope and Healing is only possible by the generosity of our partners, volunteer crew, and the provision of God. Today, I am grateful to MSC for their support.”

MSC and Mercy Ships have partnered since 2011 to operate hospital ships, with MSC providing logistical support, container delivery of supplies, and infrastructure support. MSC’s services range from local shipping agency and terminal handling to logistics, storage, and inland transportation. MSC has also provided technical advice for the design of a new vessel to improve efficiency.

“We are extremely proud of our support for MercyShips ~~~~through grant-making and in-kind donations and of the transformative impacts their free services and training have had on 18,000 medical professionals and community leaders, and 30,300 patients of all ages through 33,200 surgeries since 2011,” said Daniela Picco, MSC Foundation Executive Director.

Global Mercy was delivered in 2021 by China State Shipbuilding Corporation‘s (CSSC) Tianjin Xingang Shipyard, with project management provided by Stena RoRo in Sweden and construction design by Deltamarin of Finland.

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