MSC Australia Marks 30 Successful Years in Container Shipping Business

MSC Australia has come a long way since 1989. From six MSC staff, offering a fortnightly container service to South Africa, the agency has now expanded to hundreds of employees and vessel calls in seven major ports around Australia, operating seven weekly liner services.

Today, MSC Australia provides its customers with direct connections to all major overseas markets. Here's a sneak peek of its story made of growth and opportunities, with more to come.

Some historic milestones

A particular highlight was the visit of the MSC Fabienne on its maiden voyage in 2004 to Sydney Harbour, where key dignitaries and clients were invited onboard to tour the state-of-the-art vessel, which at the time was the largest to call Australia.

MSC also brought new life to a forgotten heritage building with its new Australian head office in Fremantle, where it moved in 2016. 11 Cliff Street is a stunning landmark, complete with a 12-metre-wide, glass-fronted annexe and is the result of a four-year renovation project. 

It is one of seven offices in Australia together with three offices in New Zealand from where MSC continues to grow its shipping line, intermodal and logistics services, always reacting quickly to local market changes and meeting growing demand with excellent customer service.

“I congratulate the entire team on their achievements, and I know that their loyalty and excellent attention to their tasks has made all the difference. I am also very mindful of the contribution of our clients, who we thank for their trust and we assure them of our utmost care at all times,” said Captain Michele Bordiga, Chairman of MSC Australia.

Evening cruise and fireworks

Some 140 employees, customers and partners gathered in Sydney on Friday 5 April to celebrate the 30th anniversary of MSC Australia with an evening boat cruise on Sydney Harbour, featuring a tug boat salute and spectacular firework display in front of the iconic Sydney Opera House. Guests included MSC Geneva representative Captain Michele Bordiga, longstanding clients, Ports Australia and NSW Port Authority members, key service providers from across Australia and New Zealand and local MSC staff.

“I am exceptionally proud to be celebrating MSC Australia’s 30th Anniversary in 2019. The loyalty of our customers and the dedication of our staff has ensured the success of MSC here in Australia,” said Kevin Clarke, Managing Director of MSC Australia.

“While this is a poignant time for the company, offering us the chance to look back at all that has been achieved over the last three decades, it is vitally important we continue to focus firmly on the future and maintain MSC’s continuous evolution.” he added.

About MSC Group worldwide

In 1970 Gianluigi Aponte founds MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company with the purchase of single ship. Privately-owned and driven by the Aponte family, the organisation has since grown to become a world leader in global container shipping operating over 510 vessels, on 200 routes, calling at 500 ports, and carrying 20 million containers annually.

Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC also includes a terminal investment company named TiL and a logistics business called MEDLOG. The Group also operates MSC Cruises, the fourth largest company in its sector, and passenger ferry companies SNAV and Grandi Navi Veloci.

MSC is led by strong values where people remain the greatest asset wherever it operates on land or at sea. With a network of 480 offices, the company prides itself on offering a global customer service with local knowledge and is a stable partner for businesses around the world, with trained, experienced experts available for a full range of services. www.msc.com