Mercy Ships Sailors Unite Humanitarian Service with Ocean Sustainability
As the world marks World Maritime Day under the theme “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity”, Mercy Ships has highlighted the vital role of seafarers who combine maritime expertise with humanitarian service while championing sustainability at sea.
Few stories illustrate this connection better than that of Emmanuel, a 34-year-old Nigerian maritime officer serving aboard the Global Mercy™. Having previously worked on oil tankers, he redirected his skills to Mercy Ships in 2024, motivated by a desire to use his maritime background for a higher purpose.
“It was mind blowing to see that in just one field service, the ship carries out over a thousand surgeries. I’m happy this is happening in Africa, and I get to be a part of it,” he said.
Mercy Ships not only delivers life-saving medical care but also upholds a strong commitment to protecting the marine environment. Both the Africa Mercy® and the Global Mercy™ operate with bio-reactor sewage plants and ballast water treatment systems to safeguard biodiversity. Sustainable practices extend to daily life on board, from reducing plastic use with reusable bottles and mugs to recycling half of the ship’s water supply.
The Global Mercy™ was designed with efficiency in mind, using 15% less energy through advanced air-conditioning systems and encouraging water-saving measures such as two-minute showers. Medical and electronic waste is also carefully managed to minimise environmental impact.
“Our ships sail because the ocean allows them to,” Emmanuel reflected. “It is our responsibility to respect the waters we navigate, because they are alive, and they connect us all.”
Through its innovative blend of humanitarian service and sustainable maritime practice, Mercy Ships demonstrates how the health of the ocean and the health of communities are inextricably linked.
