Atlantic Mercy - world's first newbuilding project of a civilian hospital ship - is now underway with the joining of the steel sections.
Steen Friis Design A/S, part of OSK-ShipTech A/S, is behind the extensive design and architectural package which involves a 7000 sqm hospital and a wide variety of facilities for patients and staff on long-term deployment. Atlantic Mercy is designed to be self-contained and independent of the unstable land-based infrastructure where it operates.
Mercy Ships' sister vessel Africa Mercy is a converted passenger ferry and already operating on the coasts off Africa providing medical and surgical aid to some of the world's poorest populations. The newbuilding Atlantic Mercy will more than double the capacity of Mercy Ships and will be fitted with modern amenities, facilities, school, bank etc. It is scheduled for delivery in 2018 and will be built on Tianjin Xingang Shipbuilding Industry Yard in China, and along side Stena Ro-Ro, Deltamarine and ABB, Steen Friis Design A/S is behind the central elements of this newbuilding project.
Article in SØFART