![Best Hospital Ship – Global Mercy (Photo: Mercy Ships)](http://media.assettype.com/bairdmaritime%2Fimport%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2FPhoto-Mercy-Ships1-e1653661391964.jpg?w=480&auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=max)
With its vast experience of designing, building, and project management of substantial and often complex ships, Stena RoRo was the ideal partner for global health charity Mercy Ships when it built its largest purpose-built civilian hospital ship Global Mercy recently. The 174 metre LOA and 37,000GT ship was built in China under the close supervision of Stena RoRo and delivered in mid-2021.
Perhaps even more complex than most Stena ships, Global Mercy is effectively a fully-equipped general hospital that floats. It is manned by 641 personnel who, between them, operate the ship and attend to the medical and surgical needs of up to 199 patients in parts of the world lacking in the requisite treatment facilities.
"Global Mercy is a truly unique ship, one of its kind," Stena RoRo told Baird Maritime. "Working with Xingang Tianjin Shipyard in China to make the world's largest hospital ship proved rewarding, as there has always been constructive dialogue in order to resolve any challenges."
The company said 2021 was an acceptable year, characterised by its cargo business remaining strong even as its passenger business became affected by Covid-19. It is also optimistic about what the future holds for maritime emergency services.
"Digitalisation will play a more important role going forward," said Stena RoRo. "This will help make such services even more efficient."