The MV YWAM PNG arrived in Townsville this morning after completing a planned drydock in Brisbane at
the end of last year. YWAM Medical Ships – Australia & PNG (YWAM MS) has been operating the vessel
since 2015, and has collaboratively provided community development through over two million health and
training services in Papua New Guinea (PNG) since 2010.
YWAM MS has been in consultation with many key stakeholders over many years, including a formal
review in 2019 to consider the best way to continue to strengthen the health and development sector of
PNG. After much consideration, a strategic move toward obtaining smaller vessels to operate in multiple
locations has prompted the decision to put the current vessel, the MV YWAM PNG, on the market. This
shift will allow for increased geographical focus and depth of community development.
“We are so grateful to the people of Townsville for their ongoing support throughout the years,” says YWAM
MS Managing Director, Mr Ken Mulligan. “I’ve been humbled by the friendship and advocacy that we’ve
received from this city, as well as the nations of Australia and Papua New Guinea. It’s an honour to engage
with so many people toward a common goal.”
YWAM MS is working with John Lane, ship broker with Dive Boat Brokers (DBB), to sell the vessel, while
also facilitating discussions with multiple stakeholders about building new ships within PNG.
Although the MV YWAM PNG is in Australia, YWAM MS continues to have a strong presence in PNG. The
YWAM MS Satellite Campus in Port Moresby serves as an outreach hub, operating in Western Province,
Central Province, and the National Capital District (NCD).
“With a team of dedicated volunteers, recently-donated boats, and a dental semi-trailer, opportunities to
engage with the nation of PNG are endless,” says Mr Mulligan. “We look forward to the future and as we
work collaboratively to empower healthy lives for a healthy PNG.”