China State Shipbuilding Corporation subsidiary Guangzhou Shipyard International has begun construction of a new hospital ship ordered by global charity Mercy Ships in late 2024.
The purpose-built Africa Mercy II will be the third hospital ship in the Mercy Ships fleet after Africa Mercy and Global Mercy. Delivery is scheduled for 2028.
Designed by Finnish naval architecture firm Deltamarin, the 174-metre ship will have hospital facilities covering approximately 7,000 square metres across two decks. The facilities will include six operating rooms, a fully equipped laboratory, training spaces, 98 acute care beds, 86 low care beds, seven isolation beds, and accommodation for 600 crewmembers and other personnel.
The ship's launch will be in November 2026. Outfitting of the vessel will take two years while another year will be spent equipping the onboard hospital facilities.
Once delivered, Africa Mercy II will be operated primarily in Africa. Financial support for the ship's construction has been provided by the charitable foundation of container shipping company the MSC Group.
