China’s Guangzhou Shipyard International (GSI) is to build the next hospital ship for US humanitarian organisation Mercy Ships.
Shipbuilding conglomerate China CSSC Holdings disclosed that a newbuilding contract for the purpose-built 174.1-metre vessel has been signed.
It did not reveal the price or delivery date, but said it will accommodate 500 people at sea and 950 people in port.
Clarksons’ Shipping Intelligence Network shows delivery is due in 2028.
Shipbuilding sources said GSI is one of the two shipyards in the CSSC group that is building passenger ships. The other is Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS).
“SWS is busy building cruise ships,” said one shipbuilding broker. “GSI also has a packed orderbook, but the shipyard was involved in the building of Mercy Ships’ 37,000-gt Global Mercy.”
The Global Mercy was delivered in 2021 by Tianjin Xingang Heavy Industry Co, now known as CSSC Tianjin Shipbuilding.
GSI was one of the first shipyards in China to break into the ropax sector and is building four 3,100-lane-metre ropaxes for MSC.
Mercy Ships disclosed last week that the philanthropic arm of MSC will part-finance the construction of the new hospital through a donation.
The design will be similar to that of the Global Mercy, and will feature six operating rooms, training areas and a fully equipped laboratory.
