Steel cutting begins for new hospital ship Africa Mercy II

Photo Credit: Mercy Ships

Mercy Ships, together with Guangzhou Shipyard International Co., Ltd. (GSI), a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), MSC Group, and the MSC Foundation, celebrated the steel cutting ceremony for Africa Mercy II on October 29, 2025, at GSI’s shipyard in Guangzhou.

The ceremony marked the official start of construction for Mercy Ships’ newest purpose-built hospital ship. This is a vessel designed to expand access to free surgical care and medical training across Africa.

This milestone represents a new chapter in the collaboration between GSI, Mercy Ships, MSC Group, the MSC Foundation, and BRS Shipbrokers reflecting a shared commitment to innovation, technical excellence, and humanitarian service.

Guests included William Zhou, president of GSI; Robert Corley, chief operating officer of Mercy Ships; Giuseppe Gargiulo, head of newbuilding at MSC Group; and Daniela Picco, executive director of MSC Foundation, alongside representatives from each partner organization.

The day began with a tree planting ceremony at Tongzhou Forest, symbolizing growth, unity, and new beginnings, followed by the steel cutting, initiated by Corley, marking the first major step in the ship’s construction.

“Cutting the steel today is not just about building a ship; we are building hope that will travel across oceans, reach the most vulnerable, and leave a legacy of healing for decades to come,” said Corley.

Picco added: “This new ship will be a bridge between continents and people. From the MSC Foundation and technical teams in Switzerland, Italy, the USA, and China to the Mercy Ships volunteers who will sail her to African shores, this partnership reflects humanity at its best—proving that teamwork and generosity can turn steel and vision into healing and hope.”

Vessel Specs

Once completed, the Africa Mercy II will be one of the world’s largest civilian hospital ships. Measuring 174 meters in length, 28.6 meters in breadth, and featuring 12 decks, the vessel will accommodate up to 644 volunteers and medical professionals. The ship’s hospital will include six operating rooms, 98 acute care beds, 86 low care beds, and seven ICU/isolation beds, significantly expanding the organization’s surgical and training capacity.

Construction milestones include keel laying in April 2026, delivery in March 2028, and the vessel’s first field service in 2029. The project is being realized through collaboration among international experts representing five continents, combining world-class maritime engineering with a global humanitarian mission.