The company, which was founded in 1970, has become the biggest user of the South African ports and in 2003 was given the accolade of being the second biggest container carrier in the world.

With in excess of 400 container vessels, the company provides global coverage linking South Africa directly with Europe, UK, USA, Asia, Middle East, Far East and Australia as well as the key ports of Africa’s West Coast, East Coast, Indian Ocean Islands, Madagascar and Mozambique.

The success of MSC is evident in its phenomenal growth over the past decade that can only be attributed to its quality management system that aims at consistently improving upon service levels within the shipping community and its willingness to initiate change to meet the requirements of clients and principals.

MSC has significant investments in the South African property market. Its own characteristic office buildings, worth R220-million, have become landmarks in Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Pretoria. The new Port Elizabeth office, which was converted from an existing national monument, was opened in 2004 and the restoration alone cost R6.5-million. The ‘Italian Village’ built in 1996 at the Umhlanga Ridge is comprised of seven houses to accommodate MSC’s Italian personnel and their families, and is now valued at R30-million.

Another success has been MSC’s diversification into the business of their own container depots. These are situated in Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg and Rosslyn, Pretoria that boasts its own rail siding as was promised to MSC’s clients, particularly the motoring industry easing the access to their manufacturing plants. The newest depot is the Port Elizabeth one which is situated in the Nelson Mandela Park near Uitenhage and which became fully operational in April 2006. A second Durban Depot is currently under construction on a site situated only 3 kilometers from the Container Terminal. All the depots have Customs bond facilities.

MSC has contributed significantly to community upliftment and training schemes, such as ABET, which have been implemented for previously disadvantaged staff members. Assistance has been given in the upgrading of community properties such as hospitals and schools with a special emphasis placed on Aids awareness. The company has also participated in the ‘Habitat for Humanity’ scheme for the past two years.

The ‘MSC Izivunguvungu Foundation for Youth’ organisation which was started in Cape Town with the cooperation of the SA Navy has benefited up to 250 previously disadvantaged youths; classrooms have been provided at the Simonstown Naval Base, full time tutors have been employed and learners are provided with transport as well as their meals. The youngsters are given tuition in academic subjects and are being schooled in all aspects of sailing and yacht building. Some of these students are amongst the crew who sailed very successfully, in the America’s Cup which culminated in Valencia in 2007.

The company undertook the principle sponsorship of the SA America’s Cup 2007 campaign as part of its 25th Anniversary celebrations in South Africa. Without MSC’s support this challenge and the fantastic results achieved would simply not have been possible.

The major success factor in South Africa has been the extremely close relationship that MSC has built with clients, a strategy that will hopefully see MSC moving into the number one position in the world in the future.