www.mscgva.ch

Mediterranean Shipping Company
www.mscgva.ch
Ships
Mediterranean S
TRANSPORT
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Shipping Company
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TRANSPORT • Mediterranean Shipping Company
Becoming one of the world’s largest
shipping companies hasn’t stopped the
Mediterranean Shipping Company from
continuing to invest in developing the
people, infrastructure and industrial
strength of its home nation, as Juliet
Langton finds out...
Serving 270 ports across all six continents,
MSC controls around 38 per cent of African
trade and is the biggest user of the South African
ports. In 2003, it was confirmed as the secondbiggest container carrier in the world. Managing
Director Rosario Sarno says that MSC began
small, before “phenomenal growth” brought it to
where it is today.
The shipping industry has an integral role within
“MSC was founded in 1970 as a private
Africa’s economy and development – especially
company by Gianluigi Aponte, a shipowner from
when it comes to extracting and exporting the
Sorrento, Italy,” Sarno reveals. “Since then,
continent’s abundant mineral mining resources.
MSC has grown from being a small convention-
Being a relatively inexpensive yet expansive op-
al ship operator into one of the world’s leading
tion for transporting bulk commodities, it rep-
shipping lines.
resents one of the continent’s greatest oppor-
“This spectacular growth has been achieved in-
tunities for growth. The native Mediterranean
ternally, through organic growth rather than through
Shipping Company (MSC) is one of the shipping
acquisition or merger. It can only be attributed to
industry’s key players – not only in Africa, but
our quality management system, which is always
the world over.
aiming to improve upon service levels within the
MAY 2012 • The African Business Journal
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TRANSPORT • Mediterranean Shipping Company
shipping community and willing to initiate change
and road logistics, as well as to additional port
in order to meet the requirements of clients.”
calls and reefer solutions – meaning focusing on
refrigerated containers, transport logistics and
Spectacular growth
other logistic solutions.
After more than 40 years at the cutting edge
of shipping, MSC continues to grow in order to
High achiever
meet growing international trade demands. It has
As may be expected for a company of its stature,
diversified into having its own container depots,
MSC has many accolades to its name. Its most
situated in Durban, Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage,
recent is the PMR Diamond Arrow Award gained
Cape Town, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Rosslyn,
last year, signifying being rated as outstanding by
in order to give customers a straightforward and
independent ratings body PMR. Other awards in-
guaranteed storage option.
clude the FNB/KZN Top Business Portfolio Award
“We have upgraded our container manage-
(Transport category) in 2009; Containerisation
ment system to have more emphasis on better
International’s Shipping Company of the Year in
container utilisation, which has helped minimise
1999; and Lloyds Loading List / Freightliner Ship-
costs and sustain continued growth,” Sarno says.
ping Line of the Year in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2003,
“Furthermore, the credibility of our service has
2005, 2007 and 2011. But this is certainly a case
maintained a large base of loyal customers. With
in which actions speak louder than awards.
dedicated employees and continuous develop-
The port of Ngqura, located 30km outside
ments in infrastructure and technology, we are
Port Elizabeth and officially opened by president
growing this base from day to day.”
Jacob Zuma last month, is testament to MSC’s
commitment to the development of Africa’s
Sustaining its growth trajectory,
MSC is pro-active in seeking
out and identifying new logistic
opportunities in Africa.
infrastructure. “In an effort to assist Transnet in
justifying the massive expenditure for the construction of this port, MSC made the decision to
include Ngqura port in its schedule, despite the
additional direct costs to the company,” Sarno
Sarno says there are currently a number
of projects being investigated pertaining to rail
explains. “To date, expenditure is in excess of
R650 million ($81.3 million), with more than
MAY 2012 • The African Business Journal
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TRANSPORT • Mediterranean Shipping Company
450 vessels calling at the port, handling
667,450 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit).”
MSC also has significant investments in the
The company also collaborated with the
South African Navy to form the Izivunguvungu
Sailing School, also called the MSC Foundation
South African property market. “Our own char-
for Youth, which is situated in Simonstown near
acteristic office buildings, estimated to be worth
Cape Town. “Here, previously disadvantaged
R220 million, have become landmarks in Dur-
children are trained in sailing on yachts and ship
ban, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Port Eliza-
building, as well as being taught academically,”
beth, with smaller branches in Pretoria and East
Sarno explains. “The success of this institution
London,” Sarno says. In the Umhlanga Ridge
was evident when some of the young trainees
near Durban sits “The Italian Village”, compris-
participated on board the Shosholoza, South
ing seven houses built in 1996 to accommo-
Africa’s entry in the America’s Cup [The world’s
date MSC’s Italian personnel and their families.
most prestigious yachting event].”
Featuring a crèche and day-care centre, this
complex is now valued at R40 million.
In-keeping with its dedication to helping
people succeed, MSC calls itself a “family”
organisation that cultivates a culture of personal
Community spirit
commitment and contribution from each of its
Potentially a lesser-known part of MSC’s ac-
employees. Sarno says it is these “experienced
tivities is its support of a number of training
and totally committed” employees that drive the
schemes. “MSC has contributed significantly to
company forward.
community uplift and training schemes, including ABET [Accreditation Board for Engineering
One-stop shop
and Technology] programmes that were imple-
Sarno says MSC is set apart from other shipping
mented to train previously disadvantaged staff
companies by its “focus on sustainability and
members,” Sarno says. MSC’s training schemes
global corporate social responsibility”, while its
include ABET Adult Education, Conflict Manage-
ultimate goal is customer satisfaction. “In addi-
ment; Telephone Etiquette; Institute of Chartered
tion to our on-time delivery policy we also have
Shipbrokers (Foundation Diplomas); Shipping Lin-
a unique ‘one-stop shop’ concept, whereby we
er Trades; Legal Principles of Shipping; Disciplin-
are able to manage and control the entire logis-
ary Education; and Health and Safety Training.
tics, beginning with to and from our vessel and
MAY 2012 • The African Business Journal
ending with delivery to the customer’s door,” he
negotiations within the sector. “These efforts
adds. “This concept enables us to add value in
have been tireless, yet it is sad that MSC re-
every aspect of the logistics chain, rather than
mains a lone voice in this struggle to create
in just the shipping.”
more accountability, effective service delivery
MSC has many achievements under its belt
and fairness form all suppliers in the shipping
but its ambitions reach further still. “While our
industry,” Sarno adds. It’s a noble ambition –
service is unparalleled, it would be great to also
and if it is achievable, MSC will surely be the
be recognised, on paper at least, as the number-
company to achieve it. TAB
one carrier in the world,” Sarno says.
Claiming that the company represents
Further information
the interests of all role players in the shipping
Visit www.mscgva.ch
industry, Sarno says that MSC has been at the
forefront of numerous difficult exchanges and
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AS SEEN IN THE MAY 2012 ISSUE
OF THE AFRICAN BUSINESS JOURNAL