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Msc Group News

12 Mar 2026

MSC Group Inks Agreement for Snake Island Port

Image courtesy NigerDock

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) signed a 45-year sub-concession agreement with Nigerdock to develop, operate, and maintain an exclusive container terminal spanning 30 hectares within Snake Island Port (SIP), Lagos.The new container terminal will be completed by 2028 with a 910-m quay, six Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes, two ship berths, three barge berths, and up to 18 meters of draft.“We are thrilled to take this step forward in our partnership with MSC to develop a world-class container terminal within Snake Island Port," said Nigerdock CEO, Maher Jarmakani.

16 Dec 2025

Gram Car Carriers Rolls Out Orca AI Navigational Analytics Platform

Gram Car Carriers' 6,700-car-capacity Viking Destiny (built 2017). © Orca AI

Orca AI has signed a multi-year agreement with Gram Car Carriers (GCC), the world’s third-largest tonnage provider of Pure Car and Truck Carriers (PCTCs) and part of the MSC Group, to deploy its AI-powered navigational safety and fleet analytics platform across GCC's global fleet of 22 owned vessels.Building on the success of Orca AI’s existing collaboration with MSC, the partnership marks an expansion of the group’s digital transformation roadmap and reinforces GCC’s commitment to operational safety, compliance and efficiency.

04 Nov 2025

MSC Cruises Connects to Shore Power in New York

Source: MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises utilized shore power in New York for the first time when MSC Meraviglia connected to shore power at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal.The connection allowed MSC Meraviglia to switch off her engines to eliminate emissions locally, as part of the City’s and MSC Cruises’ commitment to improving local air quality while the ship is in port.MSC Cruises has fitted shore power capability as standard on all new ships since 2017 and is working to retrofit other vessels in its fleet.

14 Jul 2025

MSC Group Explora Journeys' Fleet Construction Moves Full Steam Ahead

© Fincantieri

Today, at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente shipyard, three ceremonies took place for Explora Journeys, the luxury lifestyle brand of the MSC Group: the launching of Explora III, the coin ceremony for Explora IV, and the steel-cutting for Explora V.Comprised of a total of six vessels—with the first two, Explora I and Explora II, already in service—the luxury brand’s fleet, entirely built by Fincantieri, will be fully operational within three years. Explora III will be christened next year…

25 Jun 2025

Maersk Files Lawsuit Over Brazil Port Bid

© Mariusz - stock.adobe.com

Global shipping groups are looking to Brazil's courts to overturn competition rules that bar them from participating in the first round of bidding on a major new container terminal at Latin America's largest port, due to take place later this year.Danish shipping group Maersk filed a lawsuit on Monday in Sao Paulo against Brazil's marine transport authority (Antaq), and its general director, according to a document seen by Reuters. The lawsuit called for "procedural corrections to ensure a fair process" to assign the Tecon 10 terminal at the Port of Santos.The bidding rules…

03 Apr 2025

MSC Opens New Cruise Terminal in Barcelona

Source: MSC

MSC Group’s Cruise Division has officially inaugurated a new MSC Barcelona Cruise Terminal in Spain.The occasion coincided with the first call of Explora II at the new terminal - the second ship from luxury lifestyle ocean travel brand, Explora Journeys.The terminal incorporates energy-saving technologies and sustainable materials including solar panels and optimized natural light, to minimize the need for artificial lighting along with a rainwater collection system to supply water for toilets and landscaped areas to reduce water usage.

13 Sep 2024

Fincantieri Delivers Second Cruise Ship for MSC Group's Explora Journeys Fleet

(Credit: Fincantieri)

Fincantieri and MSC Group have celebrated the progress on the construction of cruise ships for the Explora Journeys fleet, marking the delivery of Explora II, the coin ceremony for Explora III, and the steel cutting for Explora IV cruise ships.The cruise ships are part of the fleet of six ships belonging to Explora Journeys, the luxury brand recently launched by the MSC Group.The first cruise ship was delivered in July 2023, and all vessels are built in Italy by Fincantieri, with a total MSC investment exceeding $3.85 billion (€3.5 billion)…

27 Aug 2024

Telemar to Provide Support Services to GNV

The contracts will consolidate service of critical bridge navigation equipment to a single provider, saving time and manpower and reducing the risk of non-compliance. Photo courtesy GNV

Telemar, a provider of smart maintenance and remote access technologies, signed an agreement with GNV (Grandi Navi Veloci) to provide safety maintenance services on its growing fleet.GNV has awarded Telemar a contract for management and maintenance of GMDSS and navigation safety installations on its newbuildings GNV Polaris, GNV Orion and GNV Virgo, constructed at CSSC shipyard Guangzhou. These new ships, which will boost ferry services in the Mediterranean and beyond, mark a…

22 Apr 2024

Mercy Ships to Build Another Hospital Ship

Source: Mercy Ships

The MSC Foundation, the MSC Group and Mercy Ships International have joined forces to build a new hospital ship.On 8 April, the chairman of MSC Group and MSC Foundation, Capt. Gianluigi Aponte, MSC Group President and Member of the MSC Foundation Board, Diego Aponte, and Mercy Ships Founder, Don Stephens, finalized an agreement to kickstart the new project with a generous anchor donation from MSC Foundation.The new purpose-built hospital ship will expand the impact of Mercy Ships’ life-changing surgeries…

05 Sep 2023

MSC's New 24,000 TEU Containership Named in Italy

(Photo: MSC)

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) on Monday held a naming ceremony for its new ultra large containership MSC Nicola Mastro in Intaly's Port of Trieste.The 400-meter-long 24,116 TEU newbuild was built by China State Shipbuilding Corporation's Jiangnan Shipyard as part of MSC's new record-breaking Celestino Maresca class, among the world's largest containerships. "At MSC, we continue to modernize our fleet and are investing in the most fuel-efficient vessels by design. The MSC Nicola Mastro is one of those vessels…

20 Jul 2023

$560M Explora I Delivered for MSC's New Luxury Cruise Brand

Explora I is the first of four new luxury cruise vessels for MSC's new luxury travel brand, a four ship buy totalling $2.6B. Image courtess Fincantieri

MSC Group Cruise Division -- Explora Journeys -- saw the launch by Fincantieri of Explora I, the first of four new luxury cruise vessels for MSC's new luxury travel brand. The first ship cost $560m, part of a four-ship newbuild plan for a cumulative $2.6B.The event was attended by Gianluigi Aponte - Founder and President of the MSC Group, Pierfrancesco Vago - Executive President of the Cruise Division of the MSC Group, the godmother of the ship Zoe Africa Vago, and for Fincantieri Pierroberto Folgiero…

18 Jun 2023

Gasum to Supply LNG to MSC Euribia

Source: Gasum

Gasum and the Cruise Division of MSC Group have signed a long-term agreement for the supply of LNG to the new flagship MSC Cruises vessel MSC Euribia.The companies have also signed a Letter of Intent with the goal of cooperating on the supply of synthetic e-LNG made with renewable energy as part of MSC Cruise Division’s strategy to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions from its marine operations by 2050.MSC Euribia recently sailed the cruise industry’s first net zero greenhouse gas emissions voyage.

15 May 2023

APM Terminals to Invest $1 Billion in Brazilian Terminals by 2026

(Photo: APM Terminals)

Maersk's APM Terminals has pledged a €962 million (US$1 billion) investment in its Brazilian operations up to 2026.This figure includes a €296 million of a total €483 million investment exclusively for the Phase One development of a new terminal in Suape. The terminal, located in Estaleiro Atlântico Sul, is in the final stages of acquisition and will rejuvenate infrastructure and increase competition in the port.APM Terminals has committed an additional €666 million of investment to the company’s four other terminals and inland depots, by 2026.

08 May 2023

CMA CGM to Buy Bollore Logistics Unit for $5.5 Billion

© Björn Wylezich / Adobe Stock

French shipping group CMA CGM has committed to buy the logistics operations of family-run conglomerate Bollore for an enterprise value of 5 billion euros ($5.5 billion), the two companies said on Monday.CMA CGM granted the Bollore group an option to sell it the logistics business, which generated more than 7 billion euros in revenue last year and employs 13,500 people.Bollore said it would decide whether or not to exercise the option after consulting employee representatives.The…

18 Apr 2023

CMA CGM Offers $5.5 Billion for Bollore Logistics Unit

© dbvirago / Adobe Stock

French shipping group CMA CGM is offering 5 billion euros ($5.48 billion) for the logistics unit of Bollore, the family-run conglomerate said on Tuesday.For Bollore a deal would mean cutting ties with its biggest business while offering cash-rich CMA CGM a chance to bolster its bid to offer end-to-end transportation services and supply chain management.The business posted more than 7 billion euros in revenue last year and has 15,000 employees.News of the indicative offer, made on a cash free and debt-free basis, boosted Bollore's shares.Bollore disclosed it following a report in shipping publi

21 Dec 2022

MSC Group Completes Purchase of Bolloré Africa Logistics

© STOCKSTUDIO / Adobe Stock

French conglomerate Bollore, run by the family of billionaire Vincent Bollore, said on Wednesday it had completed the sale of its Bolloré Africa Logistics arm to shipping company MSC Group.The Bolloré company added the transaction was on the basis of a 5.7 billion euro ($6.1 billion) enterprise value.“The Bolloré Group will remain strongly involved in Africa, notably through Canal+, and will also continue to develop on this continent its activities in many fields such as communications, entertainment, telecommunications and publishing,” added the company in a statement.The Bolloré company hold

16 Nov 2022

Largest Italian-built Cruise Ship Delivered to MSC

MSC Seascape (Photo: Fincantieri)

MSC Group’s Cruise Division on Wednesday officially took delivery from shipbuilding group Fincantieri of its new flagship MSC Seascape, said to be the largest and most technologically advanced cruise ship ever built in Italy.The vessel is the 21st to join the MSC Cruises fleet and the fourth to have been built by Fincantieri as part of a €7 billion investment package for 10 ships. The shipyard will also build six new vessels for MSC’s luxury travel brand, Explora Journeys.The 170…

24 Oct 2022

MSC to Acquire Towage Operator Rimorchiatori Mediterranei

(File photo: Rimorchiatori Mediterranei)

Swiss-headquartered shipping giant MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA continues to expand with an agreement to acquire towage provider Rimorchiatori Mediterranei.The company announced Sunday a deal through its wholly owned subsidiary SAS Shipping Agencies Services Sàrl to acquire 100% of the share capital of Rimorchiatori Mediterranei S.p.A. from Rimorchiatori Riuniti and a fund managed by DWS’s Infrastructure Investment business.Completion remains subject to the receipt of approvals…

06 Jul 2022

Fincantieri to Build Hydrogen-powered Cruise Ships for MSC's Explora Journeys

(Photo: Fincantieri)

Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri on Wednesday announced it has signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with Explora Journeys, the luxury travel brand of the MSC Group's cruise division, for the construction of two hydrogen-powered luxury cruise ships.EXPLORA V and EXPLORA VI will feature a new generation of liquefied natural gas (LNG) engines that will tackle the issue of methane slip and will also be equipped with industry first environmental technologies and solutions, including a containment system for liquid hydrogen that will enable them to use this promising low-carbon fuel.

31 May 2022

Fincantieri Floats Out EXPLORA I Luxury Cruise Ship

Credit: Fincantieri

Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri on Monday announce the float out of EXPLORA I, the first of four luxury cruise ships ordered by the Cruises Division of MSC Group for its new luxury brand Explora Journeys. The float out took place at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.The vessel construction began in June 2021, and the ship is expected to enter service at the end of May 2023. At the same time, the construction of EXPLORA II, the second ship of the new brand, is proceeding with delivery expected in summer 2024.The float-out ceremony was attended…

12 Jul 2022

Fincantieri Bags 'Ultra-luxury' Cruise Ship Order

(Photo: Fincantieri)

Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri said it has secured a contract to build up to three "ultra-luxury" cruise ships for an unnamed international buyer.The €1.2 billion deal is for one vessel to be delivered by the end of 2025, with options for two additional vessels, Fincantieri said.Fincantieri did not share any specifics about the cruise ships' size and technical details.The cruise ship order is one of only a handful placed since the cruise industry was derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic…

07 Oct 2021

Fincantieri Cuts Steel for MSC's Explora II

(Photo: Fincantieri)

Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri has cut first steel for Explora Journeys' new-concept luxury cruise ship Explora II.Explora Journeys, the new luxury brand of the cruises division of MSC Group, ordered four vessels of this class in 2018, in a deal worth more than €2 billion.The series' first ship, Explora I is currently under construction in Monfalcone, while Explora II will be built at Fincantieri's Sestri Ponente (Genoa) yard, with deliveries planned in 2023 and 2024 respectively.Each of the four 64,000-gross-ton vessels will have 461 guest suites on board.

24 Feb 2022

Coin Ceremony Held for MSC's Explora I

(Photo: Fincantieri)

A coin ceremony has been held for Explora I, the first of four luxury cruise ships ordered by the Cruises Division of MSC Group for its new luxury brand Explora Journeys, at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.The vessel, whose construction began in June 2021, will enter service in May 2023 and is the first of four ships on order worth more than €2 billion, each with a gross tonnage of approximately 64,000 tons. Each ship will be equipped with 461 guest suites.Construction of Explora II started in October 2021 at Fincantieri’s Castellammare di Stabia (Naples) yard.