The history of Logos and the visit to Logos Hope.

These are some of the books my son and I bought from Logos Hope. I have not seen these titles in local bookshops, have you?


And here is one interesting book with the title 'The Human Body Book' which tells you everything you need to know about the human body in a most interesting manner.


It gives you facts from our protective skin to our innermost organs


Here, for example, are our cells found in various parts of the body told in such a simple creative way, most teenagers and adults would find it interesting enough to learn something from it.


The receipt for the books I bought from Logos Hope.


The security label which was stuck to my sleeve after I have registered to enter the port.
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It was Malaysia's Merdeka Day, the 31st of August, 2011, that we chose to have a trip to Penang to go aboard the ship, Logos Hope which has been berthed at Swettenham Port, Penang Port Commission, since the 21st of August.

The first time I visited such a ship with books exhibited and for sale was more than twenty years ago at the same port. The ship my wife and I visited then was the Duolos. I remembered seeing so many books with titles that I had not seen in most of our bookstores.

So when a friend informed me of this ship. Logos Hope, I was determined to see the inside of the ship and the books it has.

To go on board we had to write our name and identity card before we were given a tag to be stuck onto our sleeve. It was a security measure to indicate to the authorities that we were there for the purpose of visiting logos Hope. Then, at the booth near the entrance to Logos Hope, we bought each of us a ticket at RM1.00 per person. We went up a flight of stairs and was immediately ushered to seats where a video introduced us to the ship which sails round the world with its books, crew and volunteers.

There were so many books and video discs with titles suitable for children on one side while they have books for the adults on another side. It was a worthwhile and enjoyable visit, returning home with thirteen wonderful books.

Below is some history and knowledge about OM Ships International’s service with their floating book-fair to the world since 1970.

Logos Hope, previously a ferry, was purchased by OM Ships International to replace Logos II in 2004. It is much larger than Logos II giving more space for visitors and crew members.
After a complete renovation, Logos Hope was launched into active service in February 2009. OM Ships International is a private, non-profit, charitable organisation registered in Germany.
Logos II had stopped at over 300 ports of call and, in doing so, had visited 82 countries and territories, including Africa, the Americas, Europe, the Near East and many island nations. Having served for 20 years, more than ten million visitors had the opportunity to go on board for tours, programmes and visits to the floating book fair.
OM's first Logos served for 17 years, calling at 250 ports in 102 countries and visited by ,pre than seven million visitors until it ran aground in atrocious weather conditions in Tierra del Fuego, hitting rocks in the Beagle Channel between Argentina and Chile in 1988. Though the ship was badly damaged, not a single crewmember was lost, or even injured! God must have been watching over the crew for the wonderful work they have done.
Doulos began its service in 1977. With 32 years in service it had visited 603 ports in 104 countries, welcoming more than 21 million people on board. This unique ship has covered more than 350,000 Nautical Miles, equivalent to sailing around the world 16 times!
In March 2010, it was with great sadness that I heard this ship, which is recognised by the Guiness Book of records as the world’s oldest active ocean-going passenger ship, sold to a company in Singapore and its service as a floating book-fair coming to an end.
Why was I sad? Well, many years ago, wife and I had visited the Doulos when it berthed at Penang Island. That was the first time I visited such a floating book –fair. So, in 2010, when I heard that it was again near Malaysia, I was hoping it would come to Penang Island but was so disappointed to read in the news that it had been sold to a company in Penang.
So it was with joy that I heard another floating book-fair was to stop at the Penang Port Commission in Penang Island.
I looked forward to books that could possibly be available only from this ship. Not only that, the books at this book-fair is very cheap.

How is that possible? The company passes the commissions savings back to the purchaser of the books. They also have an online sales of books which offers lower shipping rates than other online booksellers, saving you even more!