Pullmantur Cruises has become the first cruise line worldwide to partner with Ships of Hope, an NGO dedicated to bringing healthcare services to developing countries. This organization operates the world's largest civilian hospital ship, equipped with the latest medical advancements.
The alliance has been sealed through the signing of a collaboration agreement between the President & CEO of Pullmantur Cruises, Jorge Vilches, and the President of Naves de Esperanza, Ricardo Menzies.
The university hospital ship, with a volunteer crew of 400 people from more than 40 countries, docks each year in one of the neediest countries in the world, where it provides free surgeries and, at the same time, works with the local public health service to improve hospital facilities and provide training for medical and administrative staff.
Within the framework of this agreement, Pullmantur Cruises will develop a series of actions aimed at giving visibility among all its audiences to the work carried out by the NGO, will actively seek to promote volunteering and will raise funds that will help Naves de Esperanza to carry out its programs in needy areas.
In the words of Jorge Vilches, President and CEO of the Pullmantur Group, this project is “especially significant for us as it combines solidarity with the sea, an element closely linked to our business.” He added, “We want to put all our assets and potential at the service of Naves de Esperanza to bring healthcare to people who have difficulty accessing it.”.
Meanwhile, Ricardo Menzies affirms that “given the overwhelming need, we have begun a project to build a second Ship of Hope, which will be 50% larger than the current vessel. Within a short period of three years, we must double the number of members, volunteers, and collaborating companies. That is why the agreement with Pullmantur Cruises is so important, and we hope it will serve as an exemplary model that many other companies will follow in order to help these people in dire need in developing countries.”
