Mercy Ships Takes Delivery of Newly Constructed Hospital Ship The Global Mercy

The Global Mercy Delivery Ceremony.

Global health charity, Mercy Ships, reports that after a completion and acceptance ceremony on June 16, followed by a handover celebration at the Tianjin Xingang shipyard this past week, the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, Global Mercy™, has successfully been delivered and the charity has taken possession of their brand new vessel.

The final handover of the newly constructed hospital ship from shipyard to owners was celebrated in the presence of representatives from Mercy Ships, project managers from Stena RoRo, together with shipyard management, joined by a remote audience of Mercy Ships staff and crew from around the world.  The traditional shipyard events are designed to wish happiness to the ship and its crew on the seven seas.  The building phase has now been officially completed and the charity is one step closer to the first surgery onboard .

”This day is a dream come true – not only for us, but for those we serve,” stated Don Stephens, Mercy Ships founder who spoke via video to those attending. ”African heads of states and ministers of health have often expressed a desire for more of their healthcare professionals to be trained in-country. This ship will do exactly that. Many who suffer from disability and disfigurement will have access to surgical treatment and whole-person care in healthcare systems that will enable them to reach their God-given potential. We hope that this new vessel and the volunteer crew who serve on her will bring hope, healing and transformation for the next 40-50 years,” he added.

Per Westling, CEO of Stena RoRo, said “We are very proud to take delivery of this special ship. The activities to be carried out onboard have placed special and high demands on the construction of this ship. For the yard, it was the first time this type of vessel was built – a challenge that they managed very well. For Mercy Ships, delivery means that their capacity to help more than doubles.  And at Stena RoRo we are happy to be a part of their fantastic work through Global Mercy.”

Mercy Ships has been working on this new ship project for more than eight years. Contracts were signed in 2013, and the keel laid in 2015. Sea trials were successfully completed in late April this year.

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SOURCE: Assist News Service