Operation Mobilisation Ships International (OMSI), a global Christian education ministry, will now start a new conversion project for its newest vessel Logos Hope as it arrived in Shipyard Trogir, in Croatia on 14th June.

This £8 million (12.1 million euros) conversion work aims to equip the ship with more advanced facilities so it can reach out to more people in different parts of the world through the distribution of Christian literature.

The most important new facility to be installed is a book fair area, which will be transformed from the former double-height car deck. The deck head will become a book fair and café space whereas a book storage area will be built below.

Other major facilities include a main meeting place for conferences and other events, an onboard school for crewmembers' children, new bulkheads and side access doors. Electrical, ventilation and sprinkler systems are to be upgraded as well.

Moreover, the ship will also have a larger capacity for humanitarian aid work, including a mobile dental clinic.

"Our design for the ship was based on our goals, which is to serve people through good books, and reach them with God's love. We want to give people a conducive environment to browse for quality books in our book fair, we want to bring them the help they need, and we want to give them the space and ease to come onboard and talk to our crew," Logos Hope Project Director, Lloyd Nicholas said.

Logos Hope (12,252 tons) was purchased on 19 April 2004 for 3.6 million euros, which is formerly a passenger and vehicle ferry. It is expected to replace the Logos II, a smaller vessel also operated by OMSI since 1990. Logos Hope will begin active service in the early part of 2007. Around 400 volunteer crew and staff will live and work on board.

According to the Director of OMSI, the purchase and the conversion project of the ship cannot be made possible without the generous donation from supports across the world.

"We are deeply grateful to all our partners and supporters who have made it possible for us to realise our vision to launch the next ship. The start of the renovations is a major landmark in the progress of the Logos Hope project," said Bernd Guelker, CEO of OMSI.

Logos Hope Project Director, Nicholas echoed, "Financing the conversion, even the whole project, is something much larger than we as a non-profit organisation are able to handle on our own. The money we have raised, and the money that we are expecting through more fundraising efforts, is how we believe God is providing for the work we do."

The Ships Ministry began in 1970 as part of the global Christian training and outreach movement, Operation Mobilisation (OM). Since then OM's ships have visited over 450 different ports in 142 countries and welcomed 33 million visitors on board.

An average of one million visitors come on board each year to browse amongst the large floating book fair with 6,000 titles in stock, including books for university studies, professional and career interests, history, science, economics, language learning, hobbies, novels, children's stories, biographies and Christian books.