Ready to Pledge? It Just Got a Whole Lot Simpler

Now in its 10th year, Cargo Day continues to grow, and with it, the tools to take part. Mercy Ships has rebranded the Cargo Day website, making it easier than ever for you to pledge your support. With three updated forms, you can instantly see which option is right for you, and then make your pledge or give your commissions in a matter of clicks. 

Why Cargo Day matters 

Cargo Day turns shipping profits into life-changing surgeries. It funds the work of Mercy Ships which operates the world’s largest civilian hospital ships, bringing safe, free surgery to people who might otherwise go without care.  

Take Danielo a young boy from Madagascar. Born with a mass on his chest, Danielo’s mother, Rose, feared for her son’s health and future. Surgery was far beyond her reach until she heard about Mercy Ships. On board the Africa Mercy®, doctors removed the growth, giving Danielo a new beginning. 

Stories like Danielo’s are possible because the maritime community steps forward each year on Cargo Day. Every pledge fuels this mission, turning global trade into hope and healing for families like Rose and Danielo’s. 

How Cargo Day works 

Cargo Day is powered by people who know shipping best. From shipbrokers to charterers, shipowners to port agents and other companies in the shipping sector - each group plays a vital role in turning cargo into care.  

Cargo Day operates through a unique model:  

Charterers nominate “Mercy Cargoes” to participating shipbrokers who then donate 50% of their commission made on those Mercy Cargoes to Mercy Ships. Charterers are also encouraged to donate either 50% or 100% of their address commission to Mercy Ships or make a pledge. Shipowners and other companies can make a pledge. 

This collaborative model means there’s no single way to give, and companies can choose what fits their role and capacity.  

A rebrand with purpose: New website & pledge forms

When it comes to pledging, clarity matters. That’s why the new Cargo Day website has been reimagined with a fresh look and a renewed focus on usability. 

At the center of this redesign are three updated pledge forms, displayed in a clear and user-friendly way. It’s now immediately obvious which form matches your role in the industry. 

These forms make it simple to pledge through a commission, nominate Mercy Cargoes, or make a pledge. 

By making it easier to pledge, the new website ensures that more companies can take part, and that every pledge, big or small, gets where it needs to go.  

Leaderboards highlight the ongoing progress and showcase the companies participating, providing visibility that helps drive pledges forward. For donors, this transparency is an important part of the experience. Every pledge, whether large or small, is highlighted on the Cargo Day website and across their communication channels. This recognition reinforces that each contribution matters. And that, together, the shipping community is making a measurable difference. 

The Cargo Day Initiative has also a new, revamped level system. If you give a $5,000 contribution, you will start at level bronze. If you give more than a $50,000 contribution, you’ll be at level platinum. For any donation of $5,000, you will be part of the Mercy Ships Tradewinds ad and you'll get your logo in the magazine. For any donation above $10,000, you'll get priority access to the Geneva Gala.

How to participate

Getting started with Cargo Day is easier than ever. The process has been streamlined so that pledging takes only a few minutes. 

Here’s how it works:

• Visit the new Cargo Day website.
• Choose the right form. Whether you’re a shipbroker donating your cargo commission, a charterer donating your address commission, or a shipowner or other shipping service making a pledge, the forms guide you clearly to the right choice. 
• Submit your pledge. Fill in your details, confirm your commitment, and you’re done. You will be then contacted from the Mercy Ships Cargo Day team. 

From start to finish, the process takes just minutes. 

And the benefits go beyond speed. Every pledge is recognized on the Cargo Day website, in industry publications, and at the annual Geneva Gala. Companies are celebrated for their generosity and become part of a global network of peers who are proving that shipping can bring lasting change. 

So, by taking part, you’re not only strengthening your reputation in the maritime community. You’re also contributing directly to free surgeries, medical training, and stronger healthcare systems in Africa. 

Cargo Day fact sheet Cargo Day fact sheet PDF · 1.77 MB

Join the movement 

Cargo Day has always been powered by the generosity of the maritime community. Since 2016, more than 150 companies have pledged over $15 million, helping Mercy Ships deliver free surgeries and train healthcare workers across Africa. To every supporter so far: thank you. Your commitment has already changed countless lives. 

For those who haven’t joined yet, now is the perfect moment. With the new website and simpler pledge forms, taking part takes just minutes, but the impact lasts a lifetime. Whether through a commission or a pledge, every amount fuels hope. 

Shipping has always connected the world. Cargo Day shows it can also bring hope and healing to those who need it most.