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Captain Gianluigi Aponte is the Founder and Group Chairman of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA.
Born in Sorrento, Italy, Mr Aponte started his career as a captain operating passenger ferries in the Mediterranean for his family’s business after graduating from the Italian Maritime Academy.
In 1970, following a break from the world of maritime transport to work as a banker for a number of years, Captain Aponte returned to the industry to start his own business, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company. Inspired by his vision that “where the customer goes, MSC goes”, Captain Aponte has since grown MSC from a single vessel operation to become one of the largest container shipping lines in the world, while remaining true to his core family values of caring for employees and customers.
“ Our staff are the lifeblood of the company, they have commitment, passion and loyalty, which, alongside unrivalled expertise makes MSC a shipping line of the people. ”
Diego Aponte is Group President of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA.
Diego graduated in Maritime Studies with a particular focus on shipping. He joined MSC in 1997, first training on-board vessels as a junior engineer to gain first-hand technical experience, then increasing his breadth of maritime knowledge at MSC Ship Management in Sorrento.
Upon joining MSC Headquarters in Geneva, Diego worked across all departments, including Latin American and USA trade lanes. In the late 1990s, Diego identified an opportunity for MSC to invest in terminal infrastructure, to facilitate the long-term growth of the container industry. In 2000, Diego created Terminal Investment Limited S.A. (TiL), which has become one of the largest terminal operators in the world. Today, Diego is the Chairman of TiL.
From 2006, Diego worked closely with his father, Captain Gianluigi Aponte, as Vice President of the business, becoming Group President and CEO of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA in 2014.
“ MSC inspires passion, dedication and entrepreneurialism wherever you look. ”
Soren Toft joined MSC as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in December 2020, reporting to Group President Diego Aponte.
In the role, Soren oversees MSC's global cargo businesses, including all ocean liner and logistics businesses, and is also a member of the Board of Directors of Terminal Investment Ltd (TiL).
Soren has more than 25 years of experience in the shipping industry. Before joining MSC, he was Chief Operating Officer and a Member of the Executive Board at Maersk, previously holding various leadership positions in Europe and Asia after joining Maersk in 1994. Soren was also Chairman of Hamburg Süd, Maersk Oil Trading, Maersk Container Industry and A.P. Moller Singapore, and Board Member at Maersk Line, Limited. He holds an executive MBA from the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland.
“ Helping to preserve the MSC DNA and lead such a successful company into the future is a great honour and a privilege. ”
