The global shipping community has been a strong supporter of Mercy Ships, collectively donating some $4m to the hospital ship charity.

Besides donations, shipowners, charterers, brokers, port agents and inspection companies have all pitched in to lend their support and expertise.

Mercy Ships credits the industry as being instrumental in bringing to life its new purpose-built, 37,000-gt hospital ship Global Mercy (built 2021) that will double the impact of its medical programmes that provide free, life-changing surgeries across sub-Saharan Africa.