GBA Ships operates Doulos Hope and Logos Hope
Serving others with ocean-going ships began in 1970 with the purchase of the original Logos. Since then the ships have visited over 480 different ports in more than 150 countries and territories and welcomed over 50 million visitors on board. Our goal is to share knowledge, help and hope in every port we visit.
Our ships visit each port of call for several weeks at a time and open the gangways to hundreds and often thousands of visitors every day. The floating book fairs offer many diverse titles, providing many visitors their first-ever opportunity to choose from the wide range of quality literature.
An international crew and staff of volunteers from around 60 different countries live and work on the ships, devoting one or more years of their lives to serving on board. The ship people promote literacy and education, cross-cultural co-operation, and social awareness, and reflect God’s compassion for the world in the ports and countries they visit. Ship teams go into surrounding areas to provide aid and community care, partnering with local community groups to bring hope to people, whatever their circumstance, culture or background.
Sharing knowledge, help and hope
Our impact
- We have welcomed over 50 million people on board since 1970.
- We have visited over 150 countries and territories.
- In total, the ships have made 1,600 ports of call.
- Over six million people have attended conferences and other events on board.
- More than 11 million children have visited the ships and experienced the unique environment on board for themselves.
- Around 10,000 young people have been trained on board for future life and service.
- Hundreds of tonnes of books have been donated.
Vessel history
GBA Ships have managed five ships, beginning in 1970 with the original Logos...
What others say
Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca
Former president
Malta, July 2022
“I am informed that the group does all this work on a voluntary basis… Dear crewmembers, you are truly an inspiration to us all. “[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."
King Okukrubor Agyemang V
Sailed with Logos Hope from Tema to Takoradi in Ghana
April 2022
“I think that I can call this ship a ‘United Nations’ ship… Looking at young, mature, wonderful people, people with higher education devoting themselves to being on a ship is amazing... On behalf of the kings and queens of Ghana, I want to say congratulations and thank you so much for these wonderful people.”
His Highness Sayyid Faisal bin Turki Al Said
Cousin of the Sultan of Oman
Muscat, Oman, January 2011
“This initiative is not just about books. It is about people coming onboard and exchanging thoughts, ideas and cultures.”
Moustaffa Abd-Elatif
Governor
Port Said, Egypt, November 2010
“It is an honour to have Logos Hope here in Port Said. When I first came on board I saw smiling faces and I felt there was something special about the ship.”
Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
President
Monrovia, Republic of Liberia, August 2010
“Knowledge is the one thing that propels any person, any group, any nation. So when you come and expose us to the books you have, you contribute a whole lot to our rebuilding process.”
Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao
Prime Minister East Timor
Dili, East Timor, November 2008
“We recognize your mission of peace and love. We are trying to build the country, states and people. The children have to understand your mission as we live in a world that needs peace.”
His Excellency Lay Proha
Minister of Tourism
Sihanoukville, Cambodia, October 2006
“Thank you for being here! Thank you for sharing great knowledge through the books and coming to contribute to education and humanitarian aid.”
Mr. John Hume
1998 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate for his efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Northern Ireland
Guest on board Doulos in Londonderry, May 2004
“The very fact that you can have under one roof people from virtually every country in the world is a magnificent symbol to the modern world.”
President Jimmy Carter
Former President of the United States of America
Swansea, Wales, 1995
“You have my admiration for living together in harmony, because you demonstrate that people who have different styles of life and different languages and different ethnic backgrounds can still live together. Let me express my deep admiration and thanks for the wonderful work that you do. It's an honour to be here.”
Some of our sponsors
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The work of GBA Ships is made possible by the financial support of individuals and community groups all over the world. Corporate support is welcomed and we invite you to consider how you could contribute to the work of GBA Ships.