Earlier this month, MSC Group, MSC Foundation and Mercy Ships, a charity dedicated to providing transformational specialized surgical procedures to those in need, announced that the organizations are teaming up to construct a brand-new hospital ship. The state-of-the-art vessel will be designed using similar specifications as Mercy Ships’ Global Mercy and will feature a special focus on designed training spaces to boost the organization’s training and advocacy efforts.
In addition to more training resources, the new ship will include living spaces to accommodate 600 crew members and guests. The ship will total 75,347 square feet and its hospital will span two decks with six operating rooms, a fully equipped laboratory and more. On April 8, 2024, the three organizations finalized their agreement to kickstart this new project complete with a generous anchor donation from the MSC Foundation.
Click here to learn more about Mercy Ships.
“I spent part of my childhood and early years in the shipping industry in the Horn of Africa, it is a region close to my heart,” said Capt. Aponte, founder of MSC Group. “I saw firsthand the challenges faced by many local communities there and this shaped my conviction that improving the availability of healthcare would bring real and lasting impact for them. It has been extremely gratifying to work with Don and provide this crucial support through his unique organization Mercy Ships, our partnership has reaped extraordinary results already and now we are on the verge of expanding their fleet to increase this support. I truly look forward to seeing this new ship set sail to help more communities across Africa.”
Since its inception in 1978, Mercy Ships has provided more than 117,000 transformational surgeries to people in impoverished communities. Common procedures performed by the organization include maxillofacial reconstructions, contracture release for severe burns, correction for orthopedic problems in children, cleft lip and palate repair, ophthalmology and dental services. Mercy Ships is a non-governmental organization that is committed to improving local healthcare systems through sustainably designed surgical education, training and advocacy programs.
“The investment of many around the world towards a fleet of hospital ships will be enhanced by the future of our new purpose-built vessel,” said Don Stephens, founder of Mercy Ships. “I am grateful to MSC for their support.” Travel advisors can visit the MSC Foundation’s website for more information about this exciting partnership.
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