Wärtsilä Lifecycle Agreement to ensure reliable response capability for Mercy Ships hospital vessels

Technology group Wärtsilä has signed a Lifecycle Agreement with charity organisation Mercy Ships International. The contract covers a 5-year renewal of an existing service agreement for the world’s largest purpose-built civilian hospital ship, the Global Mercy™, and a 3-year service agreement for the organisation’s latest newbuild vessel, the Africa Mercy II. Both ships are fitted with Wärtsilä engines. The order was booked by Wärtsilä in Q3 2026.

Mercy Ships provides free medical care, including surgeries and medical training, in regions with limited access to healthcare, primarily in underserved local communities across Africa. As these hospital ships deliver critical healthcare services, maintaining high levels of operational reliability and minimising unplanned downtime is essential.

“Our ability to provide medical care depends on the availability and reliability of our vessels. Wärtsilä’s support helps us plan maintenance more effectively and reduce the risk of unexpected disruptions, allowing us to focus on our mission. Based on the positive results of our existing agreement for Global Mercy, we are pleased to continue this collaboration and extend similar support to Africa Mercy II,” says Ciarán Holden, Director of Technical Operations - Mercy Ships International.

The scope of the agreements includes spare parts, field services, crew training, and Wärtsilä’s digital predictive maintenance service, Expert Insight. By combining advanced analytics, artificial intelligence and Wärtsilä expertise, the service helps identify potential issues before they develop into operational disruptions, supporting high vessel availability and more predictable maintenance planning.

“Mercy Ships performs extraordinary work in delivering healthcare where it is needed most. These agreements are designed to provide the operational reliability, maintenance predictability and technical support required to keep their vessels available for service,” explains Henrik Wilhelms, Director, Agreement Sales - Wärtsilä Marine. “We are proud to support an organisation whose mission has such a meaningful impact on communities around the world.”

The Global Mercy serves as both a floating hospital and medical training centre. Equipped with six operating rooms and extensive training facilities, the vessel is powered by four Wärtsilä 32 engines, each delivering 3,360 kW of power for propulsion and critical onboard hospital operations. Its sister vessel, the ‘Africa Mercy II’, is currently under construction and scheduled for delivery in 2028, further expanding Mercy Ships’ capacity to support underserved communities and strengthen healthcare systems across Africa.

Wärtsilä Marine in brief
Wärtsilä Marine is a global pioneer in power, propulsion and lifecycle solutions for the marine market. We develop industry-leading technologies, advancing maritime’s transition to new fuels. We support building an end-to-end digital ecosystem where all vessels and ports are connected. Ultimately, Wärtsilä Marine is driving the shipping industry forward on its journey towards a decarbonised and sustainable future through our broad portfolio of engines, propulsion systems, hybrid technology, exhaust treatment, shaft line solutions and digital technologies, as well as integrated powertrain systems. Our offering, which is underpinned by our performance-based agreements, upgrades, lifecycle solutions, decarbonisation services, as well as an unrivalled global network of maritime expertise, delivers the efficiency, reliability, safety, and environmental performance needed to support a safe and sustainable future for our customers, our communities and our planet.

www.wartsila.com/marine

Wärtsilä in brief
Wärtsilä is a global leader in innovative technologies and lifecycle solutions for the marine and energy markets. We emphasise innovation in sustainable technology and services to help our customers continuously improve environmental and economic performance. Our dedicated and passionate team of 17,900 professionals in 199 locations in 78 countries shape the decarbonisation transformation of our industries across the globe. In 2025, Wärtsilä’s net sales totalled EUR 6.2 billion. Wärtsilä is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki.

www.wartsila.com

About Mercy Ships
Mercy Ships operates hospital ships that deliver free surgeries and other healthcare services to those with little access to safe medical care. An international faith-based organization, Mercy Ships has focused entirely on partnering with African nations for the past three decades. Working with in-country partners, Mercy Ships also provides training to local healthcare professionals and supports the construction of in-country medical infrastructure to leave a lasting impact.

Each year, more than 2,500 volunteer professionals from over 70 countries serve on board the world’s two largest non-governmental hospital ships, the Africa Mercy® and the Global Mercy™. Professionals such as surgeons, dentists, nurses, health trainers, cooks, and engineers dedicate their time and skills to accelerate access to safe surgical and anesthetic care. Mercy Ships was founded in 1978 and has offices in 16 countries as well as an Africa Service Center in Dakar, Senegal. For more information, visit mercyships.org and follow @MercyShips on social media.