Mercy Ships secures funding for third hospital ship

Global charity Mercy Ships has secured funding for the construction of its third hospital ship, which is scheduled to be handed over in 2028. Financial support for the construction has been provided by the charitable foundation of Switzerland-based container shipping company the MSC Group.

The purpose-built vessel will have a length of 171.4 metres and hospital facilities covering approximately 7,000 square metres across two decks. The facilities will include six operating rooms, a fully equipped laboratory, training spaces, and accommodation for 600 crewmembers and other personnel.

Construction of the hospital ship will take place at the facilities of China State Shipbuilding Corporation subsidiary Guangzhou Shipyard International. Cutting of the first steel is scheduled for December 2025 while the 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, it will be operated primarily in Africa alongside Mercy Ships' current vessels Global Mercy and Africa Mercy.