From June 17th to 20th, Guangzhou Shipbuilding International (GSI), a subsidiary of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), together with Mercy Ships International (MSI), an international charity organization, held a kick-off meeting for the project of a hospital ship built by GSI for Mercy in Nansha, Guangzhou, with the participation of the project’s funders, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Group, and the external design company, Delta Marin. This cooperative project aims to bring more convenient and efficient medical services to Africa and help local medical professionals to improve their healthcare system.
The contract for this hospital ship project was completed in April this year. The hospital ship measures 174.1 meters in overall length, 28.6 meters in breadth, 6.4 meters in structural draught, 12 knots in service speed, 500 passengers under sail and 950 in port. The hospital ship integrates the functions of passenger life, hospital medical treatment and school education, which is a high-specification passenger ship with an international standard hospital.
The hospital section is the key functional area of the ship, which mainly consists of laboratory, general outpatient clinic, ophthalmology outpatient clinic, dental outpatient clinic, CT scanning room, rehabilitation room, operating room, pharmacy, ICU ward, inpatient department, nursing station, training center etc. Other functional cabins include restaurants, cafes, stores, libraries, movie theaters, outdoor swimming pools, etc.
The construction of the hospital ship, funded by the MSC Foundation, will be operated by the MSI organization. The hospital ship is not only a ship, but also a mobile medical center, which will carry the spirit of humanitarianism to areas where medical resources are scarce, bringing hope and health to the local population.
Design rendering of the Mercy Ships hospital ship
At the kick-off meeting, GSI Chief Engineer Zhou Mushun had an in-depth exchange and discussion with Paterson James, Head of Newbuilding, Mercy Ships International and Giuseppe Gargiulo, General Manager of Newbuilding, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Group, on the details of the project. All parties expressed that this cooperation is not only a test of GSI’s shipbuilding technology, but also a fulfillment of the common values and mission of all parties, and that all parties will make concerted efforts to build this boat of benevolence together and contribute love and strength to the global public welfare.