A groundbreaking agreement between MSC Group, MSC Foundation and the charity Mercy Ships (https://MercyShips.org) International prepares for the construction of a brand-new hospital ship that will deliver free surgery and training annually to thousands of people in Africa.

On 8 April, the chairman of MSC Group and MSC Foundation, Capt. Gianluigi Aponte, Diego Aponte, MSC Group President and Member of the MSC Foundation Board, and Mercy Ships Founder Don Stephens finalised an agreement to kickstart this new project with a generous anchor donation from MSC Foundation, reflecting the visionary leaders’ commitment to supporting access to critical healthcare for the generations to come.

“I spent part of my childhood and early years in the shipping industry in the Horn of Africa, it is a region close to my heart. I saw firsthand the challenges faced by many local communities there and this shaped my conviction that improving the availability of healthcare would bring real and lasting impact for them. It has been extremely gratifying to work with Don and provide this crucial support through his unique organisation Mercy Ships, our partnership has reaped extraordinary results already and now we are on the verge of expanding their fleet to increase this support. I truly look forward to seeing this new ship set sail to help more communities across Africa” said Capt. Aponte, founder of the MSC Group. 

Since Mercy Ships was founded in 1978, the organisation has provided more than 117,000 transformational specialised surgical procedures. These surgeries include maxillofacial reconstructions, contracture release for severe burns, correction for orthopaedic problems in children, cleft lip and palate repair, ophthalmology and dental services. Mercy Ships, a non-governmental organisation, is also committed to boosting the capacities of local healthcare systems through sustainably designed surgical education, training, and advocacy programs.  Mercy Ships has provided additional training to more than 54,300 local professionals in their areas of expertise.

Expanding its fleet with a new purpose-built hospital ship, designed to similar specifications as the Global Mercy™ with a focus on designated training spaces, will allow Mercy Ships to increase its capacity to collaborate with host nations in training and advocacy efforts.

The need to accelerate access to surgical care and surgical education in sub-Saharan Africa remains very apparent. In his welcome speech at the recent West African College of Surgeons (WACS) conference in Freetown, Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh of Sierra Leone stated that the country is still grappling with 91% unmet surgical needs. Highlighting the progress already made, he urged collaborative efforts to tackle surgical deficits.

Don Stephens, founder of Mercy Ships, confirmed Mercy Ships’ vision for serving African nations with safe surgical care and education. “The investment of many around the world towards a fleet of hospital ships will be enhanced by the future of our new purpose-built vessel. The mission of Mercy Ships to bring Hope and Healing is only possible by the generosity of our partners, volunteer crew, and the provision of God. Today, I am grateful to MSC for their support.”

Operating hospital ships involves transporting large quantities of essential supplies across oceans and seas to continuously support surgical and training activities. MSC and Mercy Ships have been partners since 2011, with the MSC Group ensuring logistical support and container delivery of supplies to all ports of service. The infrastructure support and logistical expertise provided by its teams in Africa ranges from MSC’s local shipping agency and MSC and TiL terminals handling cargo to MSC and MEDLOG logistics, storage, and inland transportation services. In addition to this, MSC have provided extensive technical advice and experience in preparation for the new vessel, working with Mercy Ships to develop a design that will improve efficiency for the organisation’s needs.

The new ship will feature living spaces to accommodate approximately 600 crew members and guests on board. Its hospital will span two decks and 7,000 square metres, featuring six operating rooms, a fully equipped laboratory, and state-of-the-art training spaces such as a simulation lab. This makes it possible for Mercy Ships to strengthen local surgical systems during its time in port, typically a 10-months field service.

Gert van de Weerdhof, CEO of Mercy Ships said: “This new hospital ship will bring state of-the-art equipment and facilities to support the nations we serve. This new vessel and her future crew will enable us to meet surgical needs, while supporting host nations as they develop healthcare systems with their next generation of medical professionals.”

Diego Aponte, MSC Group President and a Member of the MSC Foundation Board, said, “I have always been passionate about Africa and I was struck by the extraordinary and honourable nature of Don’s initiative when it was first presented, and these made me want to be involved in a significant way. Mercy Ships brings tangible and concrete support to thousands of families across the region, and with MSC Group’s major presence there we have a duty to give back to the local communities. This vessel is yet another milestone in our vision to support the African continent with achieving a truly prosperous and sustainable destiny.”

Daniela Picco, MSC Foundation Executive Director, said: “We are extremely proud of our support for Mercy Ships through grant-making and in-kind donations and of the transformative impacts their free services and training have had on 18,000 medical professionals and community leaders, and 30,300 patients of all ages through 33,200 surgeries since 2011.

“When the discussion started with Mercy Ships’ founder Don Stephens to build a new ship together, I was delighted to facilitate this game-changing commitment to accompany Mercy Ships into the coming decades.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Mercy Ships.

Media Enquiries:
MSC Foundation
Kim Mancini
kim.mancini@mscfoundation.org
+41 76 249 8434 
www.MSCFoundation.org

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA
Giles Read
giles.read@msc.com
+41 79 797 3351
https://apo-opa.co/448iJiq

Mercy Ships International
Anne Buckland
anne.buckland@mercyships.org
https://MercyShips.org

Mercy Ships US
Laura Rebouche
laura.rebouche@mercyships.org
https://MercyShips.org

About MSC Foundation:
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, the MSC Foundation is the philanthropic entity of the MSC Group. Established by the Aponte family in 2018, the Foundation supports causes in environmental conservation, community support, education, and emergency relief. Its mission is to use MSC’s global reach and knowledge of the sea to take action that contributes to protecting and nurturing the blue planet and its people. For more information, visit: www.MSCFoundation.org and follow us on LinkedIn (https://apo-opa.co/49POqOV), Facebook (https://apo-opa.co/49HEXcs) and Instagram (https://apo-opa.co/3W3at1o).

About MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company:
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, is a global leader in transportation and logistics, privately owned and founded in 1970 by Gianluigi Aponte. As one of the world’s leading container shipping lines, MSC has 675 offices across 155 countries worldwide, with the MSC Group employing almost 200,000 people. With access to an integrated network of road, rail, air, and sea transport resources which stretches across the globe, the company prides itself on delivering global service with local knowledge. MSC’s shipping line sails on more than 300 trade routes, calling at 520 ports, and is targeting net zero decarbonization by 2050. For more information about our journey to net-zero please visit: https://apo-opa.co/448iJiq

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 additional training to local healthcare professionals and supports the construction of in-country medical infrastructure to leave a lasting impact.   

Each year, more than 3,000 volunteer professionals from over 60 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, obstetric 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.  

From April 15th to 20th, 2024, representatives of Gansu Provincial Government of China and Jiuquan Municipal Government participated in the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi also visiting Dubai and Saudi Arabia. During this period, Gansu Hengyuan Dongli New Energy Limited Company (www.HengyuanNewEnergy.com) signed contracts with several international solar buyers, opening new international sales channels for China photovoltaic new energy enterprises.

The leader of Gansu Province and mayor of Jiuquan attended the signing ceremony in Dubai. At the signing ceremony, Ms. Xian Xiaoli, President of Gansu Hengyuan Dongli New Energy Limited Company said: “Green and Prosperity Together” is the development goal of Gansu Hengyuan Dongli New Energy Limited Company, and “Technology Priority and Quality First” is the standard that Hengyuan Dongli adheres to in exploring domestic and international markets.

Gansu Hengyuan Dongli New Energy Limited Company has responded to China’s strategic call of “Carbon Peaking and Carbon Neutrality”. The 6GW photovoltaic module base project it invested in Jiuquan City covers an area of 152 mu, with an investment of about 4 billion yuan RMB (approximately 553 million USD), of which 2.4GW production line has been completed and put into operation. The remaining production lines are under construction. The company plans to invest in an additional 5GW high-efficiency battery base project, covering an area of about 240 mu, with an investment of about 4 billion yuan RMB (approximately 553 million USD). In order to form a fully closed-loop Hengyuan new energy equipment manufacturing industrial chain and build a new energy equipment manufacturing industry demonstration park, the company plans to build an inverter factory, a photovoltaic bracket factory and a wire and cable factory in the later stage, covering an area of about 160 mu and investing about 2 billion yuan.

Hengyuan Photovoltaic Module focuses on high power output and extreme reliability and is committed to reducing the overall system cost and improving investors’ income. It adopts the latest high-efficiency intelligent production line equipment to meet various specifications of products such as 182 and 210. It has established in depth cooperation with many well-known enterprises at home and abroad to jointly promote the R&D and application of new energy technologies. Furthermore, it has established a New Energy Technology Research Institute in Jiuquan, Gansu Province, led by a team of national experts and academicians from China, focusing on the investment in the R&D field of new energy technologies. This will ensure the continuous upgrading and iteration of enterprise industrial technologies, and promoting the rapid development of new energy industries in the local and even western regions with services.

This is the result of the development vision of Gansu Hengyuan Dongli New Energy Limited Company in the field of photovoltaic new energy, based on the western part of China, serving the whole country and facing the Central Asia and even the global market.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Hengyuan Dongli New Energy.

Company: Gansu Hengyuan Dongli New Energy Limited Company
Contact: Meng Lu
Email: Salesoffice@hengyuannewenergy.com
Website: www.HengyuanNewEnergy.com
YouTube: https://apo-opa.co/3w5bVpo
Tel: +86156 2023 3138
Address: Jiuquan New Energy Comprehensive Utilization Industrial Park, Hengyuan Road, Suzhou District, Jiuquan City, Gansu Province, China

The U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) Europe Africa Central (EURAFCENT) has awarded a significant $25 million construction contract to five Djiboutian companies. This contract, part of the broader “Africa First” initiative, underscores the commitment of the United States to fostering economic growth and stability in Djibouti.

The contract, which commenced in early April, will enhance infrastructure at Camp Lemonnier and other Department of Defense installations within Djibouti.

“More than 21 years ago, the partnership between the United States and Djibouti at Camp Lemonnier began,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Eilis Cancel, commanding officer of Camp Lemonnier, an operational installation that supports U.S., allied and partner nation forces ensuring security and stability in the Horn of Africa.

“This enduring partnership underscores our shared regional security goals and positively contributes to the Djiboutian economy,” she said. “We welcome these new contracts as an opportunity to continue working closely with our Host Nation partners.”

Notably, the multiple-award construction contract (MACC) stipulates a five-year period of engagement with no extensions, ensuring a sustained influx of projects and financial investment in the local economy.

The contract was awarded under the so called “Africa First” legislation enacted by the U.S. Congress. The legislation, stemming from the National Defense Authorization Act, has played a pivotal role in ensuring that local firms are given priority in such contracts, fostering job creation and business growth within the community.  Africa First gives the Department of Defense the ability to provide procurement preferences to qualifying local companies. Using the Africa First legislation and its implementing regulations, NAVFAC was able to limit competition to Djiboutian companies.

Paul Heavey, a NAVFAC EURAFCENT contracting officer, highlighted the efficiency of this approach: “MACC contracts enable the pre-qualification of contractors based on their performance, experience, capability, and safety. This approach not only streamlines the process but also saves both the command and the government valuable time and resources.”

The awarded companies include:

Prime Projects International, LLC
Cosmezz S.A.R.L.
Mapi Construction S.A.R.L.
SpendSmart Group, LLC
Tremco, LLC

These firms will undertake critical projects ranging from the renovation of facilities to the construction of new infrastructure, directly benefiting the economic landscape of Djibouti. The initial task awarded to Prime Projects involves upgrading water purification systems at Camp Lemonnier.

Capt. Rafael Miranda, commanding officer of NAVFAC Europe Africa Central, praised the local contracting teams for their exceptional work and the positive impact of such collaborations. “Echoing the success of previous contracts with Djiboutian companies, this MACC broadens their access to markets and encourages growth among local enterprises, providing direct benefits to the economy of Djibouti.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy in Djibouti.

Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi spoke over the phone with President of France, Emmanuel Macron.

Spokesman for the Presidency, Counselor Dr. Ahmad Fahmy, said the two Presidents discussed bilateral relations and ways to foster closer collaboration across various domains, to be commensurate with the historical and strategic nature that characterizes the two countries’ cooperation. The call also focused on developments in the Gaza Strip. President El-Sisi and President Macron reviewed the latest efforts to achieve an immediate, urgent and lasting ceasefire, exchange detainees and hostages and provide access for humanitarian aid. They also tackled the two countries’ efforts to provide medical services to the wounded Palestinians to mitigate the repercussions of the dire humanitarian catastrophe in the sector.

President El-Sisi and President Macron also touched on regional developments in light of the latest escalations. They warned of the potential danger of the region sliding into a large-scale state of instability, stressing that this necessitates an unwavering commitment to the highest degrees of wisdom and self-restraint.

The two Presidents agreed on the imperative need to end the escalation on all fronts. They reiterated that reaching a just and comprehensive settlement of the Palestinian issue, based on the two-state solution, is the path to restoring and consolidating security, peace, and stability for all peoples of the region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.