Considered as the world’s largest floating bookfair, LOGOS HOPE ships have already visited more than 480 different ports in more than 150 countries and territories and welcomed over 49 million visitors on board. Their goal is to share knowledge, share help, and share hope in every port they visit.
The 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.
Our Personal Experience of LOGOS HOPE in 2011 and 2013
We had the privilege of meeting and spending time with some of the international crew and staff of volunteers from around 60 different countries who are living and working onboard the ship. These volunteers devote one or more years of their lives to serving on board as they 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. As part of their program to connect and partner with the community, we were able to share the culture and lifestyle of Qatar by showing them around the city to appreciate the landscape and tradition of the country.
LOGOS HOPE’s third voyage to Qatar
First in 2011 (February 22-28) – Though that was Logos Hope’s first time in Qatar, sister ships, Logos and Doulos have visited Qatar repeatedly between 1971 and 2006. During that time, the entrance fee is at QR2 with more than 44,000 visitors. https://www.gulf-times.com/story/25780/largest-floating-book-shop-logos-hope-to-dock-in-doha
Second in 2013 (October 11-20) – Then Captain Tom Dyer described the vessel as a “fun ship”, a “family ship” and a platform for friendship. People were able to visit the ship, docked at Doha Port until October 20, from 2pm to 10pm daily. There was an exclusive session for ladies on October 16 from 9am to noon. The entrance fee is QR2. https://www.gulf-times.com/story/368295/book-ship-logos-hope-arrives-in-doha
Third in 2023 (June 21-July2) – reaching the shores of Doha after almost 10 years since their last visit to the country. Timings: 4 pm to 10 pm (last person in at 9.30 pm) – Monday to Thursday; 5 pm to 11 pm (last person in at 10.30 pm) – Friday to Saturday (closed on Sunday). The entrance fee is QAR 5 (no pre-booking required). https://www.qatarliving.com/forum/welcome-qatar/logos-hope-book-fair-qatar-all-you-need-know
Quick History of LOGOS HOPE Ships
Logos, was first purchased in 1970 and sailed to 108 countries for over 17-years until it got damaged in the Beagle Channel between Argentina and Chile in 1988.
The second ship was Doulos (1977-2010) purchased in 1977 whose name means “bond-servant” with the vision that the ship and those on board would be a servant to the nations. The ship was later sold in Indonesia in 2010 and was converted into a luxury hotel.
Within a year of Logos running aground, she was replaced with a passenger car ferry, renamed Logos II (1989-2008).
In April 2004, GBA Ships purchased a 12,000-ton ocean-going ferry and renamed the vessel Logos Hope. After large-scale renovations in a Croatian shipyard and extensive outfitting work in Kiel, Germany, then Køge, Denmark, Logos Hope was launched into service in February 2009.
In May 2022, Doulos Hope was purchased to expand the work of GBA Ships. The word ‘doulos’ is Greek and means servant, so the ship is to be a ‘servant of hope’.
GBA Ships operates Doulos Hope and Logos Hope with GBA meaning Good Books for All offering books of various genres, providing a rich, diverse browsing and shopping experience for book enthusiasts.
FUTURE PORTS OF CALL
- Manama, Bahrain 6 Jun 2023 to 21 Jun 2023
- Doha, Qatar 22 Jun 2023 to 2 Jul 2023
- Kuwait City, Kuwait 3 Jul 2023 to 10 Jul 2023
- Muscat, Oman 13 Jul 2023 to 24 Jul 2023
- Salalah, Oman 27 Jul 2023 to 3 Aug 2023
- Victoria, Seychelles 10 Aug 2023 to 17 Aug 2023
- Mombasa, Kenya 21 Aug 2023 to 4 Oct 2023
- Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania 5 Oct 2023 to 23 Oct 2023 TBC
- Antsiranana, Madagascar 26 Oct 2023 to 13 Nov 2023 TBC
- Toamasina, Madagascar 30 Nov 2023 to 27 Dec 2023 TBC
- Maputo, Mozambique 1 Jan 2024 to 29 Jan 2024 TBC
*Ports in gray are unconfirmed (source: https://www.gbaships.org/en/)
Hi, I would like to inform you of a significant error on the article on Logos Hope.
It says the dates are June 21st to July 2nd but according to the official website (https://www.gbaships.org/en/logoshope)
it is here from June 22nd.
This error has caused my family and I to spend over an hour driving in an uber trying to locate the ship which is not even here.
Many others have already come here to the Old Doha Port according to the guard so this error has already inconvenienced many.
Please correct this error ASAP before others waste their time.
Best regards,
Dear, we apologize for the inconvenience. We were also on standby since morning since we also wanted to visit first for coverage. However, we didnt receive any reply until late. The date were also published in major dailies in QATAR. UPDATE though – the ship will be arriving by 25th but were still sending message of confirmation to GBA/Logos Hope. Again apologies to those who were waiting on site.
https://visitqatar.com/intl-en/events-calendar
https://www.marhaba.qa/event/worlds-largest-floating-book-fair/
https://www.qatarliving.com/forum/welcome-qatar/logos-hope-book-fair-qatar-all-you-need-know
Did logos hope reach Qatar . Where is it now
Hi Ms Helen. You can track LOGOS HOPE here: https://www.gbaships.org/en/logoshope UNFORTUNATELY they cancelled their QATAR visit (we also mentioned in our stories at @bestlifeqatar Instagram).