Tianjin Xingang Shipyard launched hull NB011-1. Named GLOBAL MERCY, she will serve as a hospital ship for the charity organisation Mercy Ships.

With a gross tonnage of 37,000, the ship will share many specifications with modern ferries, and when finished she will become the world’s largest hospital ship, doubling the capacity Mercy Ships hold today.

Tianjin Xingang Shipyard, part of China Shipuilding Industry Corporation, has been appointed for the construction with the design being provided by Deltamarin and Stena RoRo offering its assistance in shipbuilding supervision.

The vessel will be certified as a passenger ship for long international voyages and will be registered under the flag of Malta with Lloyd’s Register classification. The main dimensions are 174 metres in overall length and 28.6 metres in breadth. Service speed will be 12.0 knots.

There will be two hospital decks with a capacity to carry 500 persons on board when sailing; when in port, the capacity will be 950 persons. There will be a total of 641 beds in the 277 cabins. The vessel will even house a school for children of the staff, together with kindergarten, restaurants, cafés, stores, library, cinema and an outdoor swimming pool.

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