Netherlands: Global Mercy hospital ship arrives in Antwerp

Global Mercy sails into Antwerp

The world's largest civilian hospital ship, the Global Mercy, last week attracted large crowds as it arrived in Antwerp after completing its maiden voyage from China. The ship, part of a growing fleet from international development charity Mercy Ships, was built in China, and is now in the equipping phase in Antwerp wherein it will be further prepared and crewed to save lives through surgery in Africa.

The Global Mercy received a warm welcome as it arrived in Belgium, with ship spotters gathered out in force to see the 174-metre-long purpose-built hospital and training ship make its arrival. The Port of Antwerp has waived berth and docking fees for the next six months while the ship is fitted with first-class medical equipment by professional volunteers.

The state-of-the-art hospital ship, which was built by Stena RoRo, departed from the China State Shipbuilding Corporation shipyard, where construction completed at the end of July. It was then granted free passage through the Suez Canal on its way to Europe, stopping in Malta to be registered.

Mercy Ships UK Chief Executive Officer Joanne Balaam, said: "The Global Mercy arriving in Antwerp is a momentous landmark in her incredible journey. With our volunteer crew bringing decades of experience from across the world, the Global Mercy is equipped with world-class medical technology to meet the surgical needs of the patients who so desperately need help. Through the equipment onboard, the incredible volunteer expertise and ongoing training of local medics, Mercy Ships will be making a vital difference to the region for years to come, ensuring a lasting legacy."

The vessel is 28.6 meters wide with a gross tonnage of 37,000, with the hospital area covering 7,000 metres and including a dedicated classroom/conference space as well as simulator labs for more effective training. There are four hospital wards with 200 beds, six operating rooms, an eye clinic, dental clinic, and a pharmacy as well as the latest in world-class X-Ray, CT, and MRI scanners. The auditorium onboard seats 682 crew members for meetings or education and worship events. The academy can seat 125 students so volunteer crew members can train local doctors.

The arrival of the Global Mercy in Antwerp signals the beginning of a new phase of life-changing and community-transforming work. The charity will continue to work with host nations to strengthen the local healthcare delivery system of the host countries as well as providing surgical care and a variety of training opportunities for medical professionals

The programmes of Mercy Ships offer holistic support to developing countries, striving to make healthcare accessible for all. Mercy Ships has an average of 1,185 volunteer crew from more than 60 nations serving onboard its hospital ships each year. Since 1978, Mercy Ships has delivered services to more than 2.84 million beneficiaries, and delivered services and materials in developing countries valued at over $1.7 billion.

Founder of Mercy Ships, Don Stephens mentioned the prospect of additional ships in his book Ships of Mercy, in the Afterword in which he noted: "I can't help but thank God for the privilege of it all - the privilege of the past, the privilege of the present, and the privilege of the Mercy Ships yet to come." Even though the Global Mercy is the fifth ship of Mercy Ships, Stephens' gratitude for the past and present and eagerness for the future still resonates today.

In the spring of 2022, Mercy Ships plans to open the ship to the public for tours in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, before the Global Mercy begins active service in Dakar, Senegal, the first of many new missions in the next 50 years the ship is predicted to serve in its lifetime.

Volunteer crew are needed with more than 200 roles to choose from. To find out more about volunteering visit:
www.mercyships.org.uk/get-involved/volunteer/

For more information about Mercy Ships UK please visit:

Website: www.mercyships.org.uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mercyshipsuk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mercyshipsuk