Mediterranean Shipping Company

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MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A.
TypePrivate
IndustryShipping
Founded1970; 52 years ago (1970)
FounderGianluigi Aponte
Headquarters
Geneva
,
Switzerland
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Diego Aponte
ServicesContainer Shipping and Logistics
RevenueIncrease $28.19 billion (2015)
Increase $6.16 billion (2014)
OwnerGianluigi Aponte[1]
Number of employees
Steady 30,000 (2014)
SubsidiariesMSC Cruises
Websitewww.msc.com
MSC 40' container

Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. (MSC) is a Swiss international shipping line.[2] It has been the largest container shipping line since late 2021, after overtaking fellow 2M Alliance member Maersk. The company operates in all major ports of the world.[3]

As of 2021, MSC operates 570 container vessels with an intake capacity of 3,920,784 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU).[4] It has a division called MSC Cruises that focuses on holiday cruises.

Overview[edit]

As one of the world's leading container shipping lines with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC operates 524 offices across 155 countries worldwide with over 100,000 employees.[4] MSC's shipping line sails on more than 215 trade routes, calling at over 500 ports.[4] MSC operates vessels with a capacity of up to 23,756 TEU, including (as of 2019) the world's two largest container ships, MSC Gülsün and MSC Samar.[5]

The company remains independent and wholly owned by the Aponte family under the leadership of Diego Aponte, who was appointed President and CEO by his father and company founder Gianluigi in October 2014. Gianluigi Aponte would continue to oversee all group related activities as well as supporting Diego in shaping the future of MSC.[3] In December 2020, Soren Toft became MSC Chief Executive Officer.[6]

Since 1989, MSC has a holiday cruise division called MSC Cruises.[7]

History[edit]

MSC Tomoko in the Santa Barbara Channel, 2009

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) was founded in Naples in 1970 as a private company by seafaring captain Gianluigi Aponte when he bought his first ship, Patricia, followed by Rafaela, with which Aponte began a shipping line operating between the Mediterranean and Somalia. The line subsequently expanded through the purchase of second-hand cargo ships. By 1977, the company operated services to northern Europe, Africa and the Indian Ocean.[3]

In 1978, the headquarters was established in Geneva, Switzerland.[8]

The expansion continued through the 1980s; by the end of the decade, MSC operated ships to North America and Australia.[3]

In 1988, MSC enter the cruise business by buying the liner Monterey.[7]

MSC Regulus
MSC Carmen
MSC containers
MSC Bruxelles

In 1989, MSC bought Lauro Lines. The new company was named StarLauro Cruises and had 2 ships, Monterey and Achille Lauro.[9]

In 1994, MSC ordered its first newly constructed ships, which were delivered beginning in 1996 with MSC Alexa. They were built by Italian shipbuilder, Fincantieri.[3]

In 1995, StarLauro Cruises was renamed MSC Cruises.[9]

In October 2014, Diego Aponte (son of MSC founder Gianluigi Aponte) was named president and chief executive of MSC, taking over from his father who was named group executive chairman. Gianluigi Aponte would continue to oversee all group related activities as well as supporting Diego in shaping the future of MSC.[10]

In December 2014, the MSC shipping line ranked number 6 in Lloyd's List Top 100 Most Influential People in Shipping.[10]

In January 2015, MSC launched the largest container ship, MSC Oscar, with a capacity of 19,224 TEU. Built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering and registered in Panama, it joins the Albatross service in January as part of the 2M VSA (Vessel Sharing Agreement between Maersk Line and MSC).[11]

In June 2015 Maersk and MSC signed a vessel-sharing agreement on the Asia-Europe, trans-Pacific and trans-Atlantic trades. The agreement is referred to as the 2M Alliance.[12] The 2M Alliance includes 185 vessels with an estimated capacity of 2.1 million TEU, deployed on 21 strings.[12][13]

In February 2017, MSC purchased a 49% stake into Messina Line, an Italian shipping Line founded in Genoa, Italy in 1929, specialised in intra Mediterranean short sea, and Europe to East and West Africa routes. The company owns 8 Roll-on/roll-off vessels and a Terminal in Genoa port, on top of a container fleet of 65,000 teu.[14] MSC’s subsidiary Marinvest will take over a 49 percent stake in Ignazio Messina and a 52 percent stake in Ro-Ro Italia, a new company that would control four of the Messina’s roll-on/roll-off container vessels.[15]

In October 2018, MSC decided to charter out the only two car carriers in its fleet (MSC Immacolata and MSC Cristiana)[16] to Grimaldi Group,[17] replacing them on the service towards West Africa[18] with two Messina Line - ConRO vessels: MSC Cobalto (formerly Jolly Cobalto) and MSC Titanio (formerly Jolly Titanio).[19] The swap of these ships, that were previously deployed on MSC Adriatic Trade in between the ports of Trieste and Izmir,[20] results in view of a tighter collaboration between MSC and Messina Line.[21]

In December 2020, Søren Toft became MSC Chief Executive Officer.[6] Søren Toft is the first person outside the Aponte family to become CEO. He will report directly to Diego Aponte, MSC Group President, and Gianluigi Aponte, founder and MSC Group Chairman. Søren Toft will also be a member of the board of directors of Terminal Investment Ltd.[22]

In January 2021, MSC was awarded the “Maritime Sustainability Passport” (MSP) Certificate and Seal by the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA). NAMEPA’s Co-Founder/Executive Director Carleen Lyden Walker staded that “By qualifying for NAMEPA’s Maritime Sustainability Passport, MSC has demonstrated its commitment to stewardship of the environment, care for its employees, and responsible corporate governance”.[23]

In April 2021, MSC launched a special shipping service to help the distribution of pharmaceutical products during the COVID-19 pandemic.[24]

In August 2021, Gary Keville Transport Limited obtained temporary High Court order lifting an embargo preventing it from collecting and delivering containers from Dublin port.[25]

In December 2021, MSC is offering at least 5.7 billion euros for Bolloré Africa Logistics, a subsidiary of the Bolloré group.[26]

2M Alliance: Maersk SeaLand/MSC[edit]

In 2015, Maersk SeaLand and MSC launched the 2M Alliance, a vessel-sharing agreement on the Asia-Europe, trans-Pacific and trans-Atlantic trades. The arrangement, which includes a series of slot exchanges and slot purchases on East-West routes, also involves Maersk Line and MSC taking over a number of charters and operations of vessels chartered to HMM. The 2M Alliance include 185 vessels with an estimated capacity of 2.1 million TEU, deployed on 21 strings.[27][28]

Fleet[edit]

Container ship classes of MSC
Ship class Built Capacity (TEU) Ships in class Notes
MSC Daniela-class 2008–2010 13,798 8
MSC Danit-class 2009–2012 13,050–14,028 23
MSC Beryl-class 2010–2012 12,991 7 Long-term charter from Niki Shipping
MSC Benedetta-class 2011–2012 13,100 8 Long-term charter from E.R. Schiffahrt
MSC Olympic-class 2014–2015 19,224 6
MSC London-class 2014–2016 16,652 6 Long-term charter from Zodiac Maritime and Eastern Pacific Shipping
MSC Pegasus-class 2016–2017 19,224–19,462 14 Long-term charter from Eastern Pacific Shipping, Minsheng Financial Leasing and Ship Finance International
MSC Josseline-class 2019 14,336 5 Long-term charter from Zodiac Maritime
MSC Orion-class 2019 14,952 4 Long-term charter from Zodiac Maritime
MSC Gülsün-class 2019–2021 23,656–23,756 16
2023–onwards 16,000 13 Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) have placed an order at China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) for thirteen 16000 TEU new container ships to be built at two CSSC shipyards.[29]
2023–onwards 24,232 10 4 will be built by Jiangnan Shipyard, 4 will be built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding and 2 will be built by Yangzijiang Shipbuilding[30][31]
2023–onwards 15,300 11 Long term charter from Eastern Pacific Shipping.[32]

Notable ships:

Facts and accidents[edit]

MSC Carla[edit]

On 24 November 1997, the container ship MSC Carla encountered heavy weather and broke apart NE of Azores in the North Atlantic Ocean, when on route to Boston, US from Le Havre, France. The 34 crew members were air-lifted by helicopter to safety.[33] The fore part sank over a period of five days. The stern was towed to Spain where it was scrapped.[34] In 1984, the previous owners of the MSC Carla (her name was MV Nihon at that time) lengthened the ship by 15 meters. This was accomplished by cutting the vessel in two and welding in a lengthening module. The structural failure was at the forward end of the new mid-body. The design and installation of the new structure by the shipyard was found to have been faulty.[35]

MSC Napoli[edit]

On 18 January 2007, the container ship MSC Napoli was abandoned in the English Channel due to European storm Kyrill after severe gale-force winds and huge waves caused serious damage to Napoli's hull, including a crack in one side and a flooded engine room.[36] All 26 crew were picked up from their lifeboat by Sea King helicopters of the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm and taken to Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall.[37] On 19 January 2007, the ship was taken under tow but because of the ship’s deteriorating condition it was decided to beach the ship at Branscombe.[38] On 9 July 2007 the MSC Napoli was refloated,[39] but was immediately re-beached as a crack measuring 3 meters (9.8 ft) was found in the vessel's hull, running down both sides and through the keel. The decision was made to break the ship up near Branscombe beach.[40]

MSC Nikita[edit]

On 29 August 2009, the container ship MSC Nikita was involved in a collision with the Nirint Pride off the Port of Rotterdam and was breached in the engine room. She was towed to Rotterdam for emergency repairs and subsequently declared a total loss. There were no casualties.[41]

MSC Chitra[edit]

On 7 August 2010, the container ship MSC Chitra was involved in a collision with the bulk carrier MV Khalijia II while leaving Jawaharlal Nehru Port east of Mumbai in Navi Mumbai's Raigad district, India.[42] The MV Khalijia II had ripped into MSC Chitra port side, creating three major dents in its hull and the engine room gradually flooded. After collision the MSC Chitra listed heavily and was grounded 8 km outside of the port. The Indian captain and 32 crew members were evacuated.[43] On April 17, 2011, after the ship was declared a total loss, the MSC Chitra was scuttled by Titan Maritime approximately 385 miles off the coast of Mumbai, India.[44]

MSC Zoe[edit]

On 1 January 2019, whilst on a voyage from Portugal to Bremerhaven carrying more than 8,000 containers the ship encountered severe weather causing her to roll violently.[45] 345 containers went overboard into the North Sea near the Wadden islands off the Dutch coast. Of these, 297 containers were lost north of the Dutch island Ameland, the remaining containers some hours later north of the German island Borkum.[46]

MSC Messina[edit]

On 24 June 2021, the container ship MSC Messina caught fire in the midway of the Indian Ocean halfway between Sri Lanka and Malacca Strait.[47][48] The fire broke in the engine room of the ship, at some 480 nautical miles away from the Great Basses Reef Lighthouse, Kirinda.[49][50]

MSC Danit[edit]

On 16 October 2021, the container ship MSC Danit was boarded in the Port of Long Beach by the United States Coast Guard and National Transportation Safety Board marine casualty investigators. They were investigating an undersea pipeline that appeared to have been damaged by a ship's anchor and recently spilled oil onto the beaches of Orange County. MSC and ship owner, Dordellas Finance Corporation, and others were designated as parties of interest in the investigation.[51]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ George, Sergiu (1 October 2014). "The World's Ten Richest Ship Owners".
  2. ^ "Contact". Mediterranean Shipping Company. Retrieved on 5 January 2015. "12-14, Chemin Rieu - CH-1208, Geneva - Switzerland".
  3. ^ a b c d e "The history of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co. SA". Swiss Deep-sea Shipping. Retrieved 10 August 2010.
  4. ^ a b c "About Us | MSC". www.msc.com. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  5. ^ "Giant ship makes waves on first visit". The Times. London (20 August 2019): 41.
  6. ^ a b "Søren Toft Arrives at MSC as Chief Executive Officer". www.msc.com. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  7. ^ a b "MSC Cruises History". www.cruisecritic.co.uk. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  8. ^ "About Us | MSC". www.msc.com. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  9. ^ a b "About MSC Cruises Mediterranean cruise company". www.msccruisesusa.com. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  10. ^ a b "MSC". manifestDB. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  11. ^ "Introducing the world's largest box ship: MSC Oscar". Riviera. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  12. ^ a b "Maersk, MSC Establish Ten-Year VSA". Offshore Energy. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  13. ^ "2M Alliance Officially Launched". Offshore Energy. 12 January 2015. Retrieved 27 April 2021.
  14. ^ "MSC buys 49% of Messina". Cargomar.it. 4 November 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  15. ^ "MSC's Messina Acquisition Gets Go-Ahead from Italian Regulator". Offshore Energy. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  16. ^ "The optimistic Gianluigi Aponte - Ship2Shore". www.ship2shore.it.)
  17. ^ "Grimaldi to charter in two Aponte's car carriers - Ship2Shore". www.ship2shore.it.
  18. ^ "MSC lines up against Grimaldi as it enters deepsea ro-ro shipping sector". 23 January 2018.
  19. ^ "MSC's ensign flying on the Jolly Cobalto and Jolly Titanio - Ship2Shore". www.ship2shore.it.
  20. ^ "MSC's ro-ro services to reach Italy - Ship2Shore". www.ship2shore.it.
  21. ^ "Messina charters two units to MSC - The Medi Telegraph". www.themeditelegraph.com.
  22. ^ "Former Maersk COO Toft named first non-family CEO at MSC". SeaNews Turkey| International Shipping Magazine. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  23. ^ "NAMEPA's Maritime Sustainability Passport Awarded to MSC- Mediterranean Shipping Company | Hellenic Shipping News Worldwide". www.hellenicshippingnews.com. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  24. ^ "MSC Launches Global Pharmaceutical Sector Campaign – Helping Our Customers Help The World | MSC". www.msc.com. Retrieved 14 April 2021.
  25. ^ "Haulier gets court order allowing it to continue collecting containers from port".
  26. ^ "MSC propose au moins 5,7 milliards d'euros pour Bolloré Africa Logistics – Jeune Afrique".
  27. ^ "Maersk, MSC Establish Ten-Year VSA". Offshore Energy. 10 July 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  28. ^ "2M Alliance Officially Launched". Offshore Energy. 12 January 2015. Retrieved 23 September 2021.
  29. ^ "MSC ordered 13 container ships: $ 1.52 billion!". SeaNews Turkey| International Shipping Magazine. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  30. ^ "Chinese shipyards win giant container ship order". Container News. 30 December 2020. Retrieved 1 May 2021.
  31. ^ "MSC proceeds with fleet expansion strategy". Container News. 3 June 2021. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
  32. ^ "MSC's pipeline of new tonnage approaches 1m teu with first LNG-ready ships". Splash247. 12 May 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  33. ^ "MSC Carla". Cedre. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  34. ^ "Greenpeace - MSC Carla Accident". media.greenpeace.org. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  35. ^ "Ship Structure Committee: Case Study: Carla". www.shipstructure.org. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  36. ^ BBC. "MSC Napoli: timeline". www.bbc.co.uk. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
  37. ^ "News : 771 : Naval Air Squadrons : Fleet Air Arm : Operations and Support : Royal Navy". 21 January 2007. Archived from the original on 21 January 2007. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  38. ^ "Pollution watch as ship beaches". 20 January 2007. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
  39. ^ "Stricken container ship refloated". 9 July 2007. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  40. ^ "Attempts to break Napoli in two". 13 July 2007. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  41. ^ "MSC Nikita rammed near engine room by smaller geared vessel off Holland | Certified Transportation Network". Ctngroup.com. Archived from the original on 18 December 2013. Retrieved 16 December 2013.
  42. ^ "MSC Chitra". Cedre. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  43. ^ "Collision of MSC Chitra and MV Khalijia-III the 7 August 2010". www.fortunes-de-mer.com. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  44. ^ "How the MSC Chitra was finally sunk". NDTV.com. Retrieved 23 April 2021.
  45. ^ "Why did the MSC Zoe lose containers overboard?". IMAREST.org.
  46. ^ "Number of Lost MSC Zoe Containers Jumps to 345". Offshore Energy. 7 February 2019.
  47. ^ "Fire onboard MSC Messina 480 Nautical Miles from Great Basses Reef". Sri Lanka News - Newsfirst. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  48. ^ "Sri Lanka : Another container ship suffers a fire in Indian Ocean off Sri Lanka". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  49. ^ "Fire reported on another container ship in Indian ocean off Sri Lanka". NewsWire. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  50. ^ "Boxship MSC Messina hit by engine room fire after leaving Sri Lanka". EconomyNext. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 25 June 2021.
  51. ^ "Ship owner, operator of interest in California oil spill". AP News. 17 October 2021. Retrieved 19 October 2021.

External links[edit]

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