Mercy Ships, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, has been chosen by Nor-Shipping to be its new charity partner.
Nor-Shipping director Per Martin Tanggaard described the operator of the world’s largest civilian hospital ship as a "lifesaver".
"It provides first-class medical facilities and expertise to communities that have limited, or sometimes zero, access to quality healthcare," he said.
TradeWinds has partnered Mercy Ships in its annual Cargo Day fundraising event, which has raised almost $1m over the past two years.
Partnership with Nor-Shipping, which next year stages its biennial exhibition and conferences from 4 to 7 June in Lillestrom and Oslo, means Mercy Ships will benefit from fundraising assistance at more events, and extra promotion of its 16,572-gt converted Danish ferry, the Africa Mercy.
“I can’t think of a more worthy cause for Nor-Shipping and the global business community we represent to support," Tanggaard said. "We’re looking forward to assisting them in any way we can, enabling them to keep reaching out to the men, women and especially children that need their specialist care the most.”
Substantial funds needed
Roger Vassnes, national director of Mercy Ships Norway, said: “Our crew of 400 medical and maritime specialists are volunteers, but it requires substantial funds to maintain, plan and perform operations."
Nor-Shipping supports established charities with connections to the shipping industry, including in past years organising activities and raising funds for the Mission to Seafarers.
Mercy Ships is holding a ball on 17 May at the Hotel Beau-Rivage, Geneva, with its views of Mont Blanc, to celebrate the $672,000 raised by last year's Cargo Day.
Invitations have already been sent to supporters of last October's event and it is hoped the ball will be widely supported by the shipping industry.
