Mercy Ships’ annual Cargo Day looks set to deliver its biggest fundraising haul yet, with organisers confident the maritime community will push this year’s total beyond last year’s $2.2m as pledges surge across the industry. The 2025 campaign — which officially opened on November 5 and runs through to year-end — has already passed $1.6m, putting it firmly on track for a record-breaking result with organisers hopeful of hitting a $2.5m target.
Cargo Day has become one of shipping’s most unifying charitable efforts since its launch in 2016, channelling freight commissions, fixture revenues, and direct contributions into the operation of Mercy Ships’ hospital vessels, the Africa Mercy and the Global Mercy — the world’s largest non-governmental hospital ship. More than 150 companies have participated since the initiative began, helping raise some $15m to date.
This year’s 10th anniversary campaign carries particular emotional weight. Cargo Day was the original idea of the late Tim Webb of BRS, who spearheaded the first event by persuading tanker charterers to offer “Mercy Cargoes” and encouraging brokers to donate 50% of their commission, with charterers matching the effort. What began as a tanker market initiative has since expanded across dry bulk, shipowners, shipbuilders, terminals, agents, suppliers, and service providers, many of whom now run their own fundraisers or pledge fixed amounts.
The funds support thousands of free surgeries each year, from cataract and cleft lip procedures to complex orthopaedic and maxillofacial operations. They also underpin Mercy Ships’ medical training programmes, which equip hundreds of African healthcare workers with new skills and support long-term capacity building.
Companies participating in Cargo Day also receive recognition through the official website, which showcases the breadth of industry support.
