www.mscgva.ch
Transcription
www.mscgva.ch
Mediterranean Shipping Company www.mscgva.ch Ships Mediterranean S TRANSPORT ahoy! 2 Shipping Company 4 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 Your employee to employee phone call costs. Reduced to almost nothing. With OpenScape Voice from Siemens Enterprise Communications*, your employee to hing. No matter where in the over the internet. Don’t worry how. * Siemens Enterprise Communications GmbH & Co. KG is a Trademark Licensee of Siemens AG 5 6 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 7 8 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 9 AS SEEN IN THE MAY 2012 ISSUE OF THE AFRICAN BUSINESS JOURNAL