The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has an innovative, flexible and unique approach to shipping
that has allowed the company to grow significantly over the last fifty years. Founded in 1970, MSC is now the biggest user of the South African ports and is currently the world’s largest container shipping company.
MSC has 675 offices in 155 countries with a team of almost 200 000 people around the world, and a dedicated fleet of 900 container vessels with an annual carrying capacity of 27 million TEU. The global
sailing schedule covers 300 trade routes and calls at more than 520 ports.

MSC provides global coverage, linking South Africa directly with Europe, UK, USA, Asia, Middle East, India, Pakistan, Far East, Australia, New Zealand as well as the key ports of Africa’s West Coast, East Coast and the Indian Ocean Islands, South America, Madagascar and Mozambique. MSC’s dramatic growth over the past decade can be attributed to two things: the quality management system that aims at consistently improving upon service levels within the shipping community and MSC’s willingness to initiate change to meet the requirements of clients and principals.

South African Investments
MSC has significant investments in the South African property market, with instantly recognisable office
buildings in Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg and Pretoria.

In addition, MSC has invested in multiple depot and logistics sites throughout South Africa and has made
significant leasehold improvements to operational depot and logistics sites located in the Transnet port
precincts of Durban, Coega and Cape Town. MSC inaugurated a state-of-the-art cold storage facility in
Durban in March 2024. The 15,000-meter cold store facility is operated under MEDLOG with a capacity up
to 10 000 pallets.

Technical Expertise
MSC’s hugely successful technical division, which was expanded in 1998, operates a world-class, fullscale
engine repair and maintenance facility. This is headed up by a team of highly trained Italian and South African technicians and MSC is also involved in providing training and upskilling in this field.

Diversification
MSC has successfully diversified into the business of container depots, mineral packing sites and warehouses, most of which have custom bond facilities. These are situated in Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Coega, East London, Rosslyn and Pretoria. Rosslyn boasts its own rail siding as facilitating clients’ access to their manufacturing plants, is a particularly critical issue for the motor industry.

In addition, MSC has successfully diversified into the business of providing landside trucking services across
South Africa with a dedicated owned fleet of trucks and trailers and a pool of owner/driver trucking service
providers.

Sustainability
The MSC Group’s strong core values are reflected by our long-term commitment to sustainable development.

With more than 50 years of experience at sea, we regard sustainability as a strategic imperative and,
above all, a business priority. We are committed to our decarbonization pathway towards the target of net zero decarbonization by 2050.

Social Responsibility
From a socio-economic perspective MSC mainly contributes to charities such as the Domino Foundation
focusing on early childhood development, Reach for a Dream and the upliftment of the community of
Umzimkhulu, which is one of the poorest in the country with a high HIV rate. MSC funds various schools and
provides access to bursaries to its employees’ children.

Shosholoza Ocean Academy
Shosholoza Ocean Academy was established by MSC as a long-term investment in the development of
disadvantaged South African youth. Fully funded by MSC, the Academy aims to upskill, train, and provide
employment opportunities in both the hospitality sector and in the maintenance and repair fields within
the maritime industry.

Through this initiative, young South Africans have been successfully placed in the global crewing market, giving them access to meaningful and sustainable careers. The Academy’s unique simulation training centres provide fit-for-purpose, industry relevant training to ensure graduates are well-prepared for real-world job demands.

This is a 10 year project, with a total investment of R102 million.

Training Programmes & Skills Development
In South Africa, MSC operates the largest learnership programme in its sector. The company offers a broad
range of training and development opportunities to its employees, unemployed youth, and people with
disabilities. These programmes are designed to build practical skills, enhance employability, and support
career growth.

Learnership Programmes:
ƒ International Trade
ƒ Freight Handling
ƒ Forwarding & Customs Compliance
ƒ Shipping

Skills Development Courses:
ƒ Liner Trade
ƒ Basic Legal Principles
ƒ Supervisory Skills
ƒ Managing Logistics Operations
ƒ Communication Skills
ƒ Grievance & Discipline Procedures
ƒ Problem Analysis & Solving
ƒ Conflict Management
ƒ Health & Safety
ƒ Customer Service
ƒ Personal Financial Management

MSC attributes its success to the extremely close relationships that they have built with clients; a strategy they anticipate will move MSC into the number one position in the world in the future.