Mercy Ships has been given a significant boost for upcoming construction work on the medical charity’s latest newbuilding hospital ship after being awarded this year’s official charity partner by the maritime branch of the Federation of Norwegian Industries.
“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, Mercy Ships Norway’s National Director.
Aarflot presented the work of Mercy Ships at the annual Verftskonferansen hosted by the federation’s maritime branch in Ålesund in early November where he told over 400 delegates: “With wealth comes responsibility. The wining and dining budget of this conference alone would represent a substantial donation.”
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 a new ship from the charitable foundation of container shipping giant MSC Group earlier this year.
The purpose-built 174.1 m vessel, with 7,000 sq m 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.
She will be built at China’s Guangzhou Shipyard International under a contract signed with shipbuilding conglomerate, CSSC Holdings.
Construction work is set to start with steel-cutting in December, 2025, followed by the keel-laying and launch of the hull in the period to November, 2026 that will be followed by two years of outfitting ahead of the scheduled delivery in March, 2028, followed by a year of equipping hospital facilities, according to a timeline disclosed at the conference.
“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.
“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,” he said.
Aarflot added 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 surgeries, while training over 54,000 medical professionals to strengthen local healthcare services, impacting the lives of almost 3 mill people, since the charity was founded in 1978.
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, said: “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 said it was 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 Executive Vice President Sales & Marketing, Tore Andersen.
“This also provides a great opportunity for the wider maritime sector to demonstrate its high level of technological competence by delivering innovative top-notch equipment and efficient services that can enhance the capabilities of this new state-of-the-art hospital ship. Norwegian suppliers can be proud of contributing to such a project,” he said.
