The Global Mercy®, the newest hospital ship from the NGO Ships of Hope, has arrived in Antwerp. The world's largest privately owned hospital ship left the Chinese shipyard at the end of July after successfully completing its mandatory sea trials. The Global Mercy completed its journey through the Suez Canal with a brief stop in the port of Valletta, Malta. The ship will remain in the port of Antwerp for outfitting and final fitting-out from September 2021 to February 2022.
The governments of Senegal and Egypt exceptionally facilitated the passage of the Global Mercy through the Suez Canal free of charge. This unique gesture allows Mercy Ships, known in Spain as Naves de Esperanza (Ships of Hope), to save thousands more lives in Africa in the long term.
Bert van Dijk, international board member and president of Mercy Ships Belgium, is enthusiastic and grateful for the tremendous cooperation and support for this unique project: “At the initiative and under the leadership of President Macky Sall of Senegal, along with the active participation of his ambassador in Brussels, the President and authorities of Egypt agreed to guide the Global Mercy through the Suez Canal free of charge and at no cost to the charity. This is a wonderful example of a unique collaboration between two heads of state to support Mercy Ships and contribute to improving healthcare in Africa.”
President Macky Sall of Senegal says: “I have seen and experienced with my own eyes that Mercy Ships is a wonderful organization that brings hope and healing to many African countries. We will welcome Global Mercy with open arms in the spring of 2022 and offer our full support at the start of its first mission in Africa. We are very grateful for the indispensable support of so many in truly helping my country and my people.”
The Port of Antwerp also facilitated the arrival of the Global Mercy by offering free berthing and support. National and international volunteers will outfit and complete the Global Mercy there as the world's largest private hospital ship. This includes installing medical equipment and computer systems, as well as supplying and crewing the ship for its maiden voyage.
“This unique project is a highlight of the collaboration between the Port of Antwerp and Mercy Ships. Social commitment within the port community is very high, so we are not alone in our support. Dozens of companies in our port already provide structural support to Mercy Ships and will do the same for the outfitting of the Global Mercy. Mercy Ships and the wonderful work it does are close to the heart of the Port of Antwerp ,” says Annick De Ridder, President of the Port and Antwerp City Councillor.
The Global Mercy will be the sister ship of the current hospital ship, the Africa Mercy. Mercy Ships hopes to more than double the impact of its work with the new vessel, both through life-changing surgeries and the education and training of local caregivers in Africa's poorest countries. During its missions, the Global Mercy can accommodate at least 950 people, including 641 crew members, who are volunteers from around the world. In addition to the hospital, the ship also boasts state-of-the-art training facilities, enabling Mercy Ships to contribute to the sustainable development of local healthcare in many countries.
The Global Mercy is a unique passenger ship: 174 meters long, 28.6 meters wide, and with a gross tonnage of 37,000. It has 6 operating rooms, 200 beds, a laboratory, general outpatient clinics, and ophthalmology and dental offices. The total area of the hospital department is 7,000 m².
The Global Mercy will make a stop in Rotterdam for two weeks in March 2022, where the charity intends to make public visits on board possible.
In the spring of 2022, Mercy Ships hopes to begin active service with the Global Mercy in Dakar, Senegal, the first of many new missions over the next 50 years.
