Advancing human rights and making a positive impact in communities around the world have always been central to the MSC Group’s approach to international business. This commitment includes supporting organizations that help the most vulnerable groups.
Since 2011, the MSC Group has partnered with Mercy Ships, an international non-governmental organization (NGO), that uses hospital ships staffed by volunteer medical and other professionals to provide free, life-changing surgeries, dental care and medical training for communities in Africa.
United by a shared passion for improving access to healthcare, the MSC Group and Mercy Ships have forged a strong partnership that has evolved over the years leading to MSC Foundation’s stewardship in 2019. Continuous infrastructure support, logistical expertise and end-to-end support from MSC Group companies allow Mercy Ships to focus its resources on delivering vital healthcare and training. Together, Mercy Ships and the MSC Group are bringing hope and healing to Africa.
Fostering Hope and Healing: Mercy Ships Mission
Ninety-three percent of people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to safe and prompt surgical care, leaving people of all ages without treatment for treatable (and often preventable) medical conditions. With half of the world’s population living near a coastline, Mercy Ships saw an opportunity to provide state-of-the-art medical care using hospital ships to reach people in need.
Established in 1978, Founder Don Stephens created a charity to support underserved communities based on need and without regard for race, gender or religion.
Today, Mercy Ships has impacted over 2.8 million lives and performed over 122,040 transformative surgical procedures. From performing maxillofacial surgeries to delivering palliative care, the floating hospital vessels are staffed with passionate volunteers from around the world – all inspired by Mercy Ships' mission to make a difference.
Mercy Ships aims to provide communities with lasting support by empowering local professionals to continue delivering care – even after a hospital ship leaves. This non-profit organization often donates new medical equipment and resources, helps build or renovate medical facilities and trains local healthcare workers. Indeed, through sustainable surgical education and advocacy programmes, Mercy Ships has trained over 55,510 professionals in their field of study, greatly strengthening local healthcare systems.
Providing Exceptional Care: MSC Group, MSC Foundation and Mercy Ships Partnership
The MSC Group and Mercy Ships’ 13-year partnership has continued to grow rapidly and today plays an important role in delivering vital healthcare and medical training in sub-Saharan Africa.
Initially, the idea was for the MSC Group to support the hospital ship Africa Mercy by providing free container shipping to ensure the vessel was fully supplied with all consumables. However, the MSC Group’s commitment quickly led the cargo business to get involved.
Full infrastructure and logistical support now include the local shipping agencies of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and MSC/TiL terminals managing cargo, along with MSC and MEDLOG providing free logistics, storage and inland transportation services. MSC also helps the vessels carry out their services in port on the continent by building a “wall” of empty containers around the docked ship to create a hospital compound that is safe for patients, families, and the Mercy Ships local and international teams.
Beyond logistics, the MSC Group also used its partner and client networks to provide fundraising support for a programme aimed at combating Ebola. In 2018, the MSC Group established the MSC Foundation as its philanthropic arm. In 2019, the Foundation began supporting the partnership with Mercy Ships with monetary and in-kind donations. This includes a women’s healthcare initiative and shipments of personal protective equipment (PPE) to Mercy Ships partners during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The MSC Foundation continues to lead and coordinate all MSC Group support for Mercy Ships.
Designing MSC Foundation, MSC Group and Mercy Ships New Hospital Ship
The development of a brand-new, purpose-built hospital ship to serve communities in Africa is the latest joint project of the MSC Group, MSC Foundation and Mercy Ships. In April 2024, the partners finalized an agreement to jumpstart fundraising efforts with a generous anchor donation to the charity. The MSC Group also contributed technical expertise during the negotiation and design processes to support the selection of a shipbuilder and ensure the vessel would be tailored to meet the organization’s needs more efficiently.
The new hospital ship will be the sister ship to the newest addition to the Mercy Ships fleet — the Global Mercy. It will have 12 decks in total, two of which are dedicated to the hospital, covering 7,000 square meters. The two dedicated decks will include six operating rooms, living spaces for over 600 guests and crew, and modern training facilities, including a simulation lab and a fully equipped laboratory.
The focus on ample training spaces will allow Mercy Ships to increase its Education, Training, and Advocacy (ETA) programs with partner nations. This will strengthen local healthcare systems and improve surgical procedures during each 10-month field service.
Extending Impact Through Meaningful Collaboration
This collaboration has enabled Mercy Ships to adopt shipping and logistical expertise from the MSC Group while increasing its global impact. Mercy Ships' mission to deliver hope and healing to people with critical health care needs in underserved communities aligns with the MSC Group’s culture and values, which place people at the heart of its business. Everyone deserves healthcare and resources that help them live productive and healthy lives. This partnership allows the MSC Group to expand its outreach to a range of communities and meet pressing needs together with a long-term partner.