New collaboration to include maritime technical support, medical teleconsultations and awareness initiatives to support the life-saving work of Mercy Ships

Copenhagen, 25 February 2025 – Synergy Marine Group is to increase the support it gives to Mercy Ships, which it began by providing administrative help from its European hub in Ørestad, Copenhagen. This is part of growing linkage aimed at enhancing healthcare accessibility and maritime welfare, and Synergy will progressively expand its assistance to include maritime technical expertise, medical teleconsultations, awareness campaigns and fundraising efforts.

With Synergy’s increasing help, Mercy Ships Denmark can operate more efficiently, allowing better coordination in recruiting volunteers and supporting life-saving medical missions aboard the hospital ships Africa Mercy and Global Mercy. This strengthened bond further reinforces both organisations’ dedication to improving the lives of vulnerable communities and ensuring sustainable access to critical healthcare services.

A Shared Commitment to Humanitarian Aid 

Mercy Ships has been a lifeline for underserved communities for over four decades, providing free surgeries and medical training across Africa. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the organisation demonstrated remarkable resilience, swiftly pivoting to focus on medical training, capacity building and vaccine support, while also ensuring that frontline healthcare professionals had the resources needed to continue delivering critical care.

Reflecting on the significance of increasing support from Synergy Marine Group, Founder and Chairman Captain Rajesh Unni said:

“Our help will extend beyond administrative support — we will actively drive awareness and fundraising initiatives to assist with the life-saving work of Mercy Ships. Additionally, the panel of doctors which supports Synergy seafarers will provide follow-up teleconsultations for Mercy Ships medical missions, ensuring continued care for patients in need. The Mercy Ships commitment to medical resilience during COVID-19 was remarkable, and we are honoured to stand alongside them in extending critical healthcare to those in need.”

“The pandemic also exposed stark humanitarian injustices—while the world relied on shipping for essential goods, seafarers were denied medical access, the right to return home and, in some very disturbing cases, even a dignified burial. As a seafarer myself I am unable to accept this, even four years later. We must not let it happen again. By upscaling our support for Mercy Ships, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that healthcare and humanitarian aid reach those who need it most, including the very people who keep global trade moving.”

This sentiment was echoed by Umesh Vinay Shinde, Managing Director of Synergy Denmark, who emphasized the deeper alignment between the missions of both organisations:

“Healthcare and wellbeing are fundamental rights, yet many lack access to even the most basic services. Mercy Ships addresses this inequality by providing essential medical treatment to those who need it most, regardless of status. Their commitment to bringing life-changing care to underserved communities is truly inspiring, and it is an honour for Synergy Denmark to play an increasing role in supporting their mission.”

For Mercy Ships Denmark, this will be a game-changer in its ability to operate more efficiently and reach more people in need.

Charlotte Nørholm Dyhr, Secretary General, said: “We are deeply grateful for our collaboration with Synergy Marine Group, which makes daily operations and work easier and more enjoyable for both volunteers and employees. This is a tremendous benefit for us, and we feel its impact every day. It supports our mission of recruiting volunteers and providing free surgeries to thousands of people each year aboard our two hospital ships, Africa Mercy and Global Mercy.”

Building a Lasting Impact

Synergy Marine Group remains deeply committed to seafarer welfare. Just as Mercy Ships provides healthcare to underserved communities, Synergy advocates policies aimed at preventing humanitarian disasters like the crew change crisis witnessed during the pandemic. Captain Unni has long been a leading proponent of human sustainability in the maritime sector, calling for an urgent shift towards a more inclusive, empowering and standards-based industry—one that not only ensures the wellbeing of seafarers today but also positions the shipping industry as an inspiration for future generations.

At its core, this increasing support for Mercy Ships is about delivering critical help to those who need it most—whether at sea or on land. While Synergy works to safeguard the rights and welfare of seafarers, Mercy Ships continues to expand access to healthcare in regions where medical services remain out of reach. Their shared commitment to humanitarian action and social responsibility highlights the growing need for industries to step beyond their primary functions and contribute meaningfully to society.

Since its founding in 1978, Mercy Ships has:

· performed over 117,000 life-saving procedures, including tumour removals, reconstructive surgeries and cleft lip repairs;

· trained more than 54,300 local medical professionals in surgery, nursing and biomedical sciences;

· provided basic healthcare education to nearly 272,000 people, empowering communities by giving essential health knowledge.

With hospital ships staffed by 1,000 volunteer seafarers and medical professionals from 60 countries, Mercy Ships continues to make a profound difference in global healthcare.

Through this expanded collaboration, Synergy Marine Group and Mercy Ships Denmark reaffirm their joint mission to enhance global healthcare, advocate seafarer welfare and ensure that no patient—on land or at sea—is left behind.