Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and Italy’s national railway have joined forces to launch a new company. The business will develop intermodal sea and rail transport for Italy’s ports. This development will connect the country to Europe’s rail network.
The railway company Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane was established in April 1905. Mediterranean Shipping Company is an international shipping line founded by Gianluigi Aponte in Italy in 1970, with headquarters in Switzerland since 1978.
Europe railway corridors
The new company will be jointly owned by Mercitalia Logistics (51%) and MEDLOG (49%), an MSC Group company specializing in intermodal transport and logistics. The parties will work together to design, build, and operate a new cargo terminal controlled by the two groups in Italy.
Mercitalia Logistics CEO Sabrina De Filippis says this venture will provide the strengthening of existing terminals and create new technological advancements. “This will enable us to increase the volume of goods transported by train, thanks to the increasingly effective connection of our ports and terminals to the national network and to European railway corridors, consolidating the integration of sea-rail-road transport systems,” she says.
MSC Air Cargo export freight to Japan
In October, MSC’s air cargo division launched its first direct flight from Italy to Japan with the aim of exporting high-value Italian products. This weekly service operates every Friday with departure from Malpensa, arriving the following day in Japan.
The Boeing 777-200 aircraft has a capacity of 100 tons and will freight high-value Italian products – including luxury fashion and accessories – destined for the Far East markets.
MSC Air Cargo has been operational since late 2022, when it received its first operational Boeing 777-200 Freighter for flights between Europe, Central America, and Asia.
Air transport solutions
This division of MSC has plans for investment to build and create more air transport solutions for products that need to arrive at a destination fast. These items include pharmaceuticals, perishable goods, and automotive items
According to a Mordor Intelligence report, Italy has a highly developed and efficient network, particularly in the northern and central regions and extensive domestic and international markets due to its strategic position in the center of Europe.
Shipping company of the year
This month MSC received the shipping company of the year award at the SeaTrade Maritime Awards. Seatrade Maritime Awards is a premier award scheme for maritime achievement, and winners are decided by an esteemed panel of senior industry professionals and practitioners. The awards ceremony this year is co-hosted by Shanghai International Port Group.
About the author
Sharl is a qualified journalist. He has over 10 years’ experience in the media industry, including positions as an editor of a magazine and Business Editor of a daily newspaper. Sharl also has experience in logistics specifically operations, where he worked with global food aid organisations distributing food into Africa. Sharl enjoys writing business stories and human interest pieces.
