MSC expands its growing presence in the region
Underpinned by growth in manufacturing activities and rising consumer demand, the Asian economic zone continues to flourish. This has created opportunities for many shipping companies to develop their regional portfolios by leveraging the business environment in countries well-positioned as international maritime centres such as Singapore.
Underpinned by growth in manufacturing activities and rising consumer demand, the Asian economic zone continues to flourish. This has created opportunities for many shipping companies to develop their regional portfolios by leveraging the business environment in countries well-positioned as international maritime centres such as Singapore.
With the inception of its Singapore-based Asia Regional Office (ARO) in 1996, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has been steadily building its profile and presence across the region.
A privately owned global shipping company based in Geneva, MSC is one of the world's leading container shipping lines. It operates in over 450 offices across more than 150 countries worldwide with over 24,000 employees. MSC's shipping line sails on more than 200 trade routes, calling at over 315 ports.
"In addition to being a gateway to Southeast Asian markets, Singapore presents a favourable business environment and nurtures a great pool of human capital," says Tan Yock Juee, managing director of MSC ARO. Boasting extensive agency networks in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Cambodia under the group's subsidiary MSC South East Asia and drawing on the support of MSC ARO, MSC assures international freight forwarders and multinational corporations in Singapore that their needs will be catered to in the best and timely manner. The company's team of dedicated professionals constantly strive to enhance operational and technical efficiencies and service quality for its customers.
Recognising the growing importance of Singapore as a main transshipment hub to many long haul destinations, MSC has established a joint venture with PSA International in Singapore to provide priority berthing in order to achieve schedule reliability.
A twice-weekly sailing frequency coupled with a dedicated feeder network coverage for Southeast Asian ports enables the company to provide customers with multiple sailing options. "Running our own feeder service helps us maintain our cost-competitive advantage and guarantees service frequencies," Tan says. MSC's feeder network spans Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
MSC seeks to further strengthen its regional position by expanding its networks and exploring untapped business frontiers. Through its existing agency networks in Asia, the company plans to extend its reach into east Malaysia and Myanmar, and add port calls to widen its feeder network coverage, focusing on specialised cargo business such as reefers, dangerous goods and out of gauge.
"We aim to be the pioneer in Asia's emerging markets by building global networks, harnessing local talents and capitalising on opportunities in a favourable business environment," Tan says. "Wherever goods need to be transported, we will make sure we are there."