Mercy Ships has taken possession of its first purpose-built ship, the Global Mercy, described as the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, at a shipyard in China.
The 12 deck ship, which features six operating theatres, 200 hospital beds and a full lab, is scheduled to sail to Europe in July where it will be outfitted with IT and medical equipment as well as soft furnishings at the Port of Antwerp. Volunteer crew will also be joining the ship before it will be presented to the sponsors, future volunteers, the media and other interested parties early next year.
The ‘Global Mercy’ at the Tianjin Xingang shipyard. PICTURE: Supplied.
Don Stephens, the American founder of Mercy Ships, told those at the Tianjin Xingang shipyard near Beijing earlier this month that the day was a “dream come true” for both Mercy Ships volunteers and those they serve.
Speaking via a video link, he said African heads of states and ministers of health had “often expressed a desire for more of their healthcare professionals to be trained in-country”.
“This ship will do exactly that. Many who suffer from disability and disfigurement will have access to surgical treatment and whole-person care in healthcare systems that will enable them to reach their God-given potential. We hope that this new vessel and the volunteer crew who serve on her will bring hope, healing and transformation for the next 40-50 years.”
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The keel for new ship, which is 174 metres long and has an interior totally 30,000 square metres, was laid in 2015 and sea trial completed in April this year. The construction was overseen by Swedish shipbuilders Stena RoRo.
More than 640 crew, including medical and maritime crew members, will be able to live and serve onboard with space for up to 950 on ship when it is docked. All Mercy Ships crew members are volunteers.
In 2019, Mercy Ships celebrated the organisation’s 100,000th free surgical procedure.
