Our Newest Hospital Ship
It all started in 2011. After operating repurposed surgical ships for more than 40 years, Mercy Ships decided it was time. Time to bring a new dream to life. Time to impact more people than ever.
It was time to construct the organization’s first purpose-built hospital ship from scratch. This vessel would become the world’s largest civilian hospital ship.
Meet the Global Mercy. After a decade of planning, construction, and collaboration from donors and partners around the globe, the Global Mercy is more than just a dream. She’s a 174-meter, 37,000-ton hospital ship – and she’s preparing to serve in Africa for the first time. As a floating hospital and training center with the capacity for 950 people on board, she’ll be the site of life-transforming surgery for hundreds of thousands of people in her lifespan.
People just like 4-year-old Mansare. Growing up in Guinea with a condition known as bowed legs, he’d always found it difficult to walk, let alone run or play. Walking a short distance down the street was exhausting. But a complicated and expensive surgery was out of the question.
When Mansare received surgery on board a Mercy Ships vessel, it was the first time he’d ever seen his legs straight. After completing his physiotherapy program, Mansare was up and running with a big smile on his face. He was ready to explore, play, and go back to school.
There’s a vast population with limitless potential who are hopeful for healing. With the addition of the Global Mercy, Mercy Ships will be able to help many more people like Mansare.
Commissioning in Dakar, Senegal
The Global Mercy is a dream a decade in the making… and finally, the life-changing journey is about to begin. This summer, the Global Mercy will make her maiden voyage to Africa and join the Africa Mercy in Senegal. On June 2, the new hospital ship will be officially commissioned in the Port of Dakar by leaders of the Senegalese government as well as visiting heads of state and Mercy Ships partners, crew, and staff.
Following this commissioning, the Global Mercy will begin operating as a floating training center for the very first time, providing a series of medical training programs for Senegalese and visiting healthcare professionals.