Shipping and trading industry support of Mercy Ships' Cargo Day has reached $651,400 — double the figure of a year earlier.

The fundraising venture was backed by 83 companies — 24 charterers, 20 shipowners, 23 shipbrokers, seven port agents, and nine service outfits and associations.

“Who thought we could have achieved this,” said Tim Webb, director and head of tanker chartering at Barry Roglianio Salles.