Construction work on Mercy Ships’ third hospital ship is set to kick off with steel-cutting in December 2025. The charity announced this at a conference where the organisation was also named official charity partner by the maritime branch of the Federation of Norwegian Industries.
Mercy Ships is expanding its fleet with a third hospital ship, in addition to the Global Mercy and Africa Mercy, after securing financial support for the newbuild from the charitable foundation of container shipping giant MSC Group earlier this year.
The purpose-built 174.1-metre vessel, with 7000 m2 of hospital space spanning two decks, will have six operating rooms, a fully equipped laboratory and training facilities, as well as accommodation for 600 crew and guests. It will be constructed at China’s Guangzhou Shipyard International under a newbuild contract with shipbuilding conglomerate CSSC Holdings.
Construction work is set to kick off with steel-cutting in December 2025 followed by keel-laying and launch of the hull in the period to November 2026 that will be followed by two years of outfitting. Delivery is scheduled for March 2028, and then a year of equipping hospital facilities will begin.
Also read: MSC and Mercy Ships to build new hospital ship
Charity partner
The maritime branch of the Federation of Norwegian Industries represents hundreds of maritime equipment suppliers, designers and shipyards.
‘We are keen to engage with the Norwegian maritime sector to procure the resources and expertise we need to execute this state-of-the-art newbuild project and believe this can also be a prestigious reference to bolster the market reputation of suppliers,’ said Martin Aarflot, National Director of Mercy Ships Norway.
Aarflot presented the work of Mercy Ships at the annual Verftskonferansen hosted by the federation’s maritime branch in Ålesund earlier this month where he told over 400 delegates: ‘With wealth comes responsibility. The wining and dining budget of this conference alone would represent a substantial donation.’
Also read: All you want to know about Mercy Ships’ new hospital ship Global Mercy
‘Gaps in makers’ list’
‘We are still looking to fill gaps in the makers’ list for the newbuild, so there remains a lot of potential for Norwegian suppliers to participate in this project. If you want to be part of this new adventure with us, now is the opportunity,’ Aarflot told the conference.
He added: ‘Gaining this coveted status as the federation’s chosen charity partner for maritime clearly has great significance for us in terms of recognition and valuable support for our work from the globally renowned Norwegian maritime industry – and we think this is a win-win deal.’
Aarflot explained it can serve as a door-opener for increased Norwegian participation in Mercy Ships’ humanitarian work in African countries where the charity has to date performed over 117,000 transformative surgeries while training over 54,000 medical professionals to strengthen local healthcare services, impacting the lives of almost 3 million people, since being founded in 1978. He stated more people are dying due to lack of surgery than from war, hunger, malaria and other diseases combined, accounting for some 46,000 deaths daily.
Also read: Hospital ship Global Mercy arrives in Senegal
Support from suppliers
As well as procuring equipment and services, Mercy Ships is looking to boost recruitment for a wide range of voluntary positions on board its vessels – from seafarers and technicians to catering staff, as well as medical personnel.
The industry federation’s Head of Maritime Stål Heggelund: ‘Mercy Ships represents a great humanitarian cause that is worthy of our support. By pulling together with the combined expertise and resources of the Norwegian maritime sector, we can make a big difference to our world while supporting the key UN Sustainable Development Goals of Health & Wellbeing and Quality Education.’
Norwegian ballast water treatment specialist Optimarin is very positive about the engagement of Mercy Ships as a charity partner by the federation and is certain its view is echoed by other suppliers in the country’s maritime sector. ‘We are excited at the prospect of being able to contribute to the expansion of Mercy Ships’ important humanitarian work through the latest newbuilding project,’ said Optimarin’s EVP Sales & Marketing Tore Andersen.
Picture: Mercy Ships is expanding its mission of hope and healing with a third hospital ship in addition to the Global Mercy and Africa Mercy (picture by Mercy Ships).
Also read: A glimpse on board the world’s largest hospital ship, the Global Mercy
