AkzoNobel’s Marine and Protective Coatings business has reaffirmed its commitment to Africa Mercy, one of the largest civilian hospital ships in the world, by providing a sizable quantity of paint during its drydocking in the Canary Islands.

To ensure the vessel had the highest-quality finish to carry out its essential work, 21,000 litres of coatings was provided for its refit, which took place as it docked in the Astican shipyard in Las Palmas between July 15 abd and September 14.

As well as delivering paint, AkzoNobel also provided technical service support from its  Marine technical service expert Alfonso Rodriguez.

The 4,150 dwt hospital ship – which has five operating theatres and a total of 80 patient beds on board – operates in Africa, where its team of volunteer doctors, surgeons, nurses and specialists conduct medical operations to support the region’s poorest people.

Africa Mercy is owned by Mercy Ships UK – International Surgical Care Mission Charity, a global NGO which has been deploying hospital ships since 1978, providing free-of-charge medical treatment and partnering with individual nations to transform their surgical systems.

The supply of paint and support provided is part of a long-standing relationship between the vessel and AkzoNobel’s Marine and Protective Coatings business, which stretches back a number of years.

Chris Birkert, marketing manager for Marine Coatings at AkzoNobel, commented: “Mercy Ships does such amazing work in providing vital, life-changing surgery to people in need across the African continent. “That’s why we’re proud of our long-standing relationship with Africa Mercy and our commitment will provide it with the highest-quality coatings to keep the vessel in operation for longer. By providing 21,000 litres of AkzoNobel coatings to coat both the interior and exterior of the vessel and with the support from one of our local experts Alfonso, we want to make sure the ship can continue its outstanding work along the African coastline and help transform the lives of as many people as possible. We’re delighted to have had such great feedback from the superintendent at the docking, Alphonse Abraham, who was very pleased with the support provided by AkzoNobel as well as the condition of the vessel when it left the dock.”