Mercy Ships Interview with Ian Butler on Cargo Day and why to join
Ian Butler, Vitol Head of Energy Transition – Shipping
London, England, United Kingdom
Mercy Ships recently had the opportunity to interview Ian and here we share his positive message about Cargo Day and how to get involved.
Discovering Mercy Ships
Ian first learned about Cargo Day when it was launched 7 years ago. What attracted Ian to being involved with Mercy Ships was that it was a charity whose roots are in shipping.
“I found the whole charity incredibly endearing and immediately we tried to give as much support as we could. Over the following years, Cargo Day has got more and more successful and we’ve been pleased to have increased our support to this wonderful cause.”
“The Africa Mercy® has been working in Africa for the last 15 years and has performed over 35’000 surgeries. That’s over 35’000 lives changed. And now, with the new deployment of Global Mercy™ in Sierra Leone, we can do the same there.”
Mercy Ships has been active for 45 years but, this is the first time that Mercy Ships will have two vessels helping the people of Africa.
The Shipping Industry Supports Cargo Day
“The Shipping industry, through Cargo Day, has raised 7 million dollars in the last 7 years for Mercy Ships, 2 million dollars from last year alone with 80 companies contributing. We need to build on this. We’ve got the ability to really make a difference there.”
“Vitol is really proud to be able to contribute to Mercy Ships Cargo Day and you can too. It’s not about the amount that you contribute, it’s how we contribute together. That’s the secret of the success. It’s all of us working together contributing a small amount to be able to raise the amazing funds that are sorely needed. Let us make a lasting impact on Africa today. We can change lives.”
Ian is a member of the London Cargo Day committee.
The London Cargo Day committee was created in 2021 and contributed 30% of all incoming fundraising Cargo Day 2022 results!
About Vitol
Vitol is a leader in the energy sector with a presence across the spectrum: from oil to power, renewables and carbon. Vitol trades 7.4 million barrels per day of crude oil and products, and charters around 6,000 sea voyages every year.
Vitol’s counterparties include national oil companies, multinationals, leading industrial companies and utilities. Founded in Rotterdam in 1966, today Vitol operates from some 40 offices worldwide and is invested in energy assets globally including: 17 m m3 of storage globally, roughly 500 k b/d of refining capacity, over 7,000 service stations and a growing portfolio of transitional and renewable energy assets. Revenues in 2022 were $505 billion. www.vitol.com
About Mercy Ships Cargo Day
Mercy Ships Cargo Day, an annual online fundraising event established by the worldwide shipping and trading community in 2016, has raised almost 7 million in 7 years.
Shipping industry… How to join this cause:
Charterers, shipbrokers, owners and more Sign online at anytime
via the form, by email or
by phone: +41 76 561 65 54
Announce your Mercy Cargo(es) or/and your pledge amounts
8 November, 2023
Confirm and Donate the amount(s) to Mercy Ships
Your gift today provides surgeries and medical care tomorrow for those who are without other access.
(2018 est.)
8.4
1.4
Founded in 1978, Mercy Ships is a global faith-based charity that uses hospital ships and volunteer professionals to deliver free specialized surgical care and medical training to build the local healthcare systems with our host nations, focusing in Africa.
Why a ship?
Because 30% of the world’s population lives near a coast, our floating hospitals are the best way to reach and treat people in need.
How big is the Africa Mercy?
Africa Mercy is the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, constructed as the first purpose-built floating hospital for humanitarian organization Mercy Ships. We have 6 operating theaters and 99 beds. We can host up to 650 crew and guests.
Why a ship?
Because 50% of the world’s population lives near a coast, our floating hospitals are the best way to reach and treat people in need.
How big is the Global Mercy?
Global Mercy is the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, constructed as the first purpose-built floating hospital for humanitarian organization Mercy Ships. We have 6 operating theaters and 199 beds. We can host up to 950 crew and guests.
About Mercy Ships
Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that deliver free surgeries and other healthcare services to those with little access to safe medical care. An international faith-based organization, Mercy Ships has focused entirely on partnering with African nations for the past three decades. Working with in-country partners, Mercy Ships also provides training to local healthcare professionals and supports the construction of in-country medical infrastructure to leave a lasting impact.
Each year, more than 3,000 volunteer professionals from over 60 countries serve on board the world’s two largest non-governmental hospital ships, the Africa Mercy® and the Global Mercy™. Professionals such as surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, cooks, and engineers dedicate their time and skills to accelerate access to safe surgical, obstetric and anesthetic care. Mercy Ships was founded in 1978 and has offices in 16 countries as well as an Africa Service Center in Dakar, Senegal. For more information, visit mercyships.org.
