/en/newsroom/news/2023/october/msc-achieves-major-milestone-with-25-years-of-business-success-in-china
As the world leader in container shipping and logistics, MSC has been keeping global trade moving. This includes connecting China, the largest trading nation, with the world for over 25 years.
MSC first began supporting customers in the region in 1996 when we launched our Silk service between China and Europe. Then, we solidified our commitment to integrating China into the global trade network by opening our first office in Shanghai in 1998. Since then, we have continued to invest and expand our shipping and logistic services in the country. Today, MSC calls at 14 ports across China, operates 37 mainline services, and manages 7 Intra-Asia routes. We are now also powered by a dedicated team of more than 1,400 professionals in around 30 offices!
To celebrate this incredible growth, MSC CEO Soren Toft and a team of high-level delegation embarked on a two-week-long visit to China in September 2023. During then, we further deepened strategic collaborations, advanced shared goals in maritime decarbonization and issued a powerful call for collaboration in maritime digitalization.
Strengthening Collaborative Ties and Charting MSC's Course in China
Mr. Toft met with various key stakeholders to exchange views and ideas for advancing global trade, including the pivotal role of the container shipping industry and the importance of industry players working together to optimize digitalization and decarbonization. As well as meeting with the Minister of Transport Li Xiaopeng, Soren had productive appointments with the Vice Minister of Commerce and Deputy International Trade Representative Ling Ji, Swiss Ambassador to China Juerg Burri and several local leaders in the key cities.
Championing Maritime Decarbonization with Shanghai International Port Group
At MSC, we are focused on achieving carbon neutrality across the entire Cargo Division by 2050 – without relying on external offsetting, and we are committed to accelerating the energy transition in collaboration with our partners.
Accelerating Shipping Hub Center with Shandong Port GroupIn another strategic partnership, we signed a comprehensive cooperation framework agreement with Shandong Port Group on 26 September to strengthen cooperation in accelerating the construction of the port of Shandong, Northeast Asia's International Shipping Hub Center.
Mr. Huo Gaoyuan, Chairman of Shandong Port Group, said “We are pleased to sign a comprehensive cooperation framework agreement with MSC, the world's leading container shipping company, which will help build Qingdao Port into an international shipping hub in Northeast Asia.”
Advocating for Digitalization in the Maritime IndustryMr. Toft also took the stage as a keynote speaker at the Global Sustainable Transport Forum 2023, a high-level event with a core focus on sustainable development in transport and the importance of cooperating.
In his address on the first day of the two-day forum that unfolded on 25-26 September, Mr. Toft emphasized the transformative potential of digital technologies in the maritime industry, and highlighted the symbiotic relationship between technological advancements and sustainable development. Calling on governments to support digital innovation, Mr. Toft stressed that true change can only occur if the entire maritime industry is united in its efforts to embrace the digital future.
Looking Forward with Optimism
Our MSC global story began in 1970, when Captain Gianluigi Aponte founded the company with just one cargo ship. We’ve since evolved to 760 vessels, with 300 routes carrying 22.5 million TEUs annually.
Optimistic about the world trade situation, Mr. Toft said, “China represents a key market in the global economy with immense growth potential. It is at the same time a very important market to MSC today, as well as in the future. We've continued our growth journey the past 25 years and we plan to continue doing so in the years ahead."
Jonathan Zhu (Managing Director MSC Greater China) added, "We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead and look forward to playing a pivotal role in China's continued economic success. The visit by our management is a clear commitment to our local stakeholders that MSC is a trusted partner contributing to the sustainable development of China's shipping industry, all while embracing the values that define us."