First purpose-built vessel for Mercy Ships poised to change thousands of lives
Mercy Ships is unveiling to the public details of its new hospital ship under construction in China.
It is expected that during its 50-year predicted lifespan, surgical procedures alone on the 37,000 gross ton vessel will improve the lives of more than 150,000 people.
The ship, to be named Global Mercy, is at an advanced stage of construction by Tianjin Xingang Shipbuilding Heavy Industry.
When delivered it will more than double the number of people who can be served with free medical care in Africa, as well as increasing capacity for training local healthcare professionals.
Global Mercy, which will join the existing, 16,572-gt Africa Mercy (built 1980), will have six operating theatres and house over 600 volunteers from around the world—surgeons, nurses, maritime crew, cooks, electricians, teachers and many more.
There will be a 682-seat auditorium, student academy, gymnasium, pool café, shop and library.
The 12-deck newbuilding will have a draft of just 6.1 metres to cope with restrictions at African ports.Four medium-speed diesel Wartsila engines will power ABB Azipod propulsors.
Gothenburg-based Stena RoRo has overseen construction of Global Mercy with an on-site management team.Turku’s Deltamarin was responsible for the construction design, BRS brokered the order and Lloyd’s Register has survey responsibilities.
The Malta-registered vessel will become the world’s largest non-governmental hospital ship.
More information on our World’s Largest NGO Hospital Ship – Global Mercy
Geoff Garfield
Freelance journalist
