Mercy Ships is a pioneering international health charity. Our hospital ships bring free, life-changing surgeries to women, men and children across sub-Saharan Africa. In partnership with African nations, we train healthcare professionals, we build stronger medical services, and we fight for the health of everyone.
In low-income and lower-middle-income countries, nine out of ten people have no access to basic surgical care. Our charity hospital ships sail directly to these people to offer the medical care they need – for free.
The Mercy Ships crews of the Africa Mercy and Global Mercy are led by a team of volunteers from up to 40 nations, all of whom give their time and expertise for free. Mercy Ships doesn’t just take doctors and nurses – we need all skills, we need your skills.
Since 1978, medical missions by Mercy Ships have worked with compassion in more than 56 nations, providing services worth over £1.2 billion that have helped more than 2.8 million people. Our current focus is on sub-Saharan Africa.
When we talk about Mercy Ships, we rarely stop to think about the flooring, curtains, mattresses, bedding and furniture that are so unique to ship life. For Norfolk-based company Ship Shape IMO, howev...
08 October, 2026
Our maritime partners are instrumental in helping us bring hope and healing to those without access to safe surgery, so we are delighted to announce a new partnership with Agilify Maritime. Agilify Ma...
15 September, 2026
Three years ago, UK-based shipping company Seapeak joined forces with Mercy Ships, allowing their employees the opportunity to share their skills on board our two hospital ships. Today we look back ...
08 September, 2026
