Mercy Ships is a faith-based international development organisation which provides hospital ships to some of the poorest countries in the world, delivering vital, free healthcare to people in desperate need.

Crew will be provided by Northern Marine Manning Services for the vessel’s maiden voyage between China and Belgium, with a future agreement in place to provide crew to support the ongoing operation.

The charity’s volunteer programme will also be internally promoted to the Northern Marine seafarer pool.

Dhan Swadi, Personnel Director, NMMS, said: “We are very proud to have been asked by Mercy Ships to play a part in fulfilling Crewing requirements for such an important vessel.

“At Northern Marine we have a long history of providing crews for vessels that have been used for important social causes, however none have been of the scale of the Global Mercy, which will undoubtably be a major asset in providing essential healthcare to countless communities around the world.”

Angie Fadely, VP Human Resources, Mercy Ships, said: “Mercy Ships is excited to partner with Northern Marine to source key professionals who can work alongside our short and long-term volunteer crew on our ships.  Their support will be invaluable as we ramp up to a two-ship fleet.”

The vessel contains six operating theatres and hospital wards for 200 patients, as well as a laboratory, general outpatient, ophthalmology and dental clinics. There is space for up to 950 people while in port including 641 volunteer crew.

The 174-meter, 37 000-ton passenger ship is also equipped with first-class training facilities to allow Mercy Ships volunteers to contribute to the sustainable support of essential surgical and related skills for local healthcare professionals when docked.

The ship construction was overseen by Stena RoRo.

ENDS