Doulos Hope completes first Dry Dock

Wednesday 25 May 2022 marked the day Doulos Hope (formerly The Taipan) was officially handed over to GBA Ships in Penang, Malaysia. Alongside her sister vessel Logos Hope, Doulos Hope will travel the world sharing knowledge, help and hope in the port communities she visits.

Since then, much refurbishment work has been ongoing behind the scenes, including the repurposing of spaces on board to help better meet future needs and progress toward launching the vessel into service within the next year.

In a maiden voyage on 20 July, Doulos Hope completed her very first sea trial since acquisition, allowing crew to run a series of tests and evaluate the ship’s current performance. The success of this exercise allowed planning to proceed for her next voyage, as Doulos Hope set sail for Sembawang shipyard in Singapore, for a period of dry dock commencing 25 August.

The vessel has just finished her time in dry dock, when much of the barnacle growth resulting from the vessel’s last two years in dock was removed, making her more efficient and increasing the number of knots at which she is currently able to sail.

Doulos Hope sails on 6th September to Loyang Berth, Singapore, and will continue to remain there for the next four months. Further projects to be completed include preparation for new stability conditions of the ship, as well as working towards the renewal of all DNV Class Surveys to enable operation for another five years.

For more updates, follow Doulos Hope on Facebook and Instagram.

The warmest welcome and cultural exchange in Benghazi

Logos Hope welcomed more than 37,000 visitors on board the bookfair in the port of Benghazi, Libya. Crewmembers were excited to connect with the citizens and were overwhelmed by the warmth and hospitality they received.

Ship director Randy Grebe (USA) explained, “Many Libyans were excited to meet foreigners. It is highly unusual for them as there is no tourism and very few come from nations far away. With nearly 60 nationalities, this created a special atmosphere for inter-cultural exchange.”

The mutual curiosity about other cultures was explored through many conversations as well as cultural performances.

One visitor said, “It's nice to see people from different backgrounds coming together and giving a great show. It was nice meeting people from all around the world as that's something I don't get to do every day and it was really good that everyone got to show their culture – us included. We showed our culture to you and you showed your cultures to us. It was really fun!”

Ibrahim, a Benghazi citizen, who visited the ship not only once but twice, said, “The people who work here are very lovely people and help you with everything. The fact that you're spreading knowledge around the world and keep doing it with smiling faces and that vibe that you got here [is great].”

About the nine-day-long stay in August, Director of Moral Guidance Department of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Major General Khaled al-Mahjoub said, “The visit of this ship was a big event, for its entrance in the city of Benghazi and to send a clear message: Benghazi is a city of peace and of culture… When we have seen all the nations on your ship, we have seen the world through you. I want to tell you that you have all our love. We are delighted to have you with us.”

A lecturer from the Benghazi university also stated, “We welcome you and were happy to have you around in Libya. I want to say that you're welcome back again – and then to your second home and second country, your second city, Benghazi.”

Returning to our home port

Logos Hope has arrived in Malta, which marks the 12th visit to the island nation with the organisation’s four ships over the last 51 years, and the second of Logos Hope, returning to her port of registry.

At the official opening, Captain James Berry (UK) explained, “Valletta is the ship’s home port, it is registered here in Malta and has Valletta painted on the back. We are so excited and so happy to be here in Malta, which is such a special country with a unique location and such a vast and unique history.”

Then he revealed that it’s not only a special return, but also a special day, saying, “Today happens to be the anniversary day of when the ship was first registered in Malta 11 years ago, on the 13th of July!”

Guest of honour, former president Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, said, “I am truly delighted to be here this morning and to welcome the MV Logos Hope and its international crew… I am informed that the group does all this work on a voluntary basis… Dear crewmembers, you are truly an inspiration to us all… and I am truly honoured to be part of this [official opening]. It is indeed a celebration of kindness and respect to humankind and a manifestation of what volunteering by giving… part of your lives to the well-being of others means. Thinking and caring for others is the most amazing and precious value.

“[The bookfair] is an undoubtedly amazing source of knowledge for those who seek it and the access of literature will offer many opportunities for personal development and acquisition of wisdom. May the events you have on board and on shore including seminars and conferences for leaders, men, women, young people and children provide a new emphasis for change and peaceful communities.

“I can identify with the amazing vision and mission of Logos Hope in terms of extending an equal opportunity for knowledge through creating accessible reading, of promoting peace when raising and celebrating human diversity and of encouraging and empowering people towards a purposeful and meaningful life.”

The former president officially opened Logos Hope’s bookfair, which is now open to the people in Malta from Tuesday – Friday and Sunday from 3pm to 10pm and Saturday from 10am – 1pm and 3pm to 10pm until 31, July 2022. Entrance: 1 Euro.