Senior shipping figures have stepped forward to encourage the industry to rally behind this year’s Cargo Day fundraising for medical charity Mercy Ships.
The event is planned for 3 October with the hope that the total raised by the global shipping and trading community will break through the $1m mark.With four weeks to go, Mercy Ships has released a video in which key industry players are interviewed about their Cargo Day aspirations.
The video features Riverlake CEO Marc Lecoanet; Nyala Shipping managing director Gilles Roland; Trafigura chartering managers Ludvig Mandius and George Katout; Tim Webb, head of tankers at shipbroker BRS; Clarksons' Geneva office head Joe Green; Eiger Shipping global chartering manager David Walker; Ocean Shipbrokers' Edouard de Joussineau; Scott Moncrieff, head of chartering and freight derivatives at Sahara Group; Clearlake chartering manager Nicholas Macleod; and Socar head of shipping Mathieu Philippe.
Webb said: “If there is a wish from the Cargo Day Committee, it would be to reach the $1m mark.”
“This could be possible thanks to the growing awareness of Mercy Ships among the industry, especially due to the highly successful and well-attended [Cargo Day] Gala held in Geneva back in May this year,” he said.
Success last year
Last year, the Cargo Day — now in its third year — raised more than $672,000, with 24 charterers, 20 shipowners, 24 shipbrokers, seven port agents and nine service companies/associations onboard.
“Cargo Day kicks off 3 October and we expect mercy cargoes to be given to brokers over the whole month. As chairman of the Geneva Cargo Day committee, I would like to thank TradeWinds for their continued, wonderful support.”
Some 21 companies have already agreed to participate this year, including leading shipowners, traders and brokers.
Charterers can pledge cargoes to participating shipbrokers, port agents and inspection companies who will then donate 50% of their commission to Mercy Ships. Charterers and owners can also make a pledge directly to Mercy Ships via three levels of donation.
All money raised is used to support Mercy Ships’ medical programme in Africa where the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, the 16,600-gt Africa Mercy (built 1980), has arrived in Conakry, Guinea and onboard wards opened on Monday.
“The vessel will stay in Guinea for about 10 months and will perform in excess of 2,000 surgeries,” Webb said. The ship was previously on field service in Cameroon.
Corinne Kemp, communications manager for Cargo Day, said the video for this year’s event was to hear from shipping's key players on why they have got involved with Mercy Ships. It also describes how the charity is responding to the needs of people in Africa.
Moncrieff said: “The shipping and trading community is a big family worldwide and it is truly amazing how we have come together for Cargo Day.”
To pledge support for Cargo Day, visit: http://mercyshipscargoday.org.
