MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA enters the air cargo business under the brand name MSC Air Cargo. At the beginning of next year they want to start with four Boeing 777-200F operated by Atlas Air.

According to the company, the project has been in the development phase for several months. As soon as the first cargo aircraft to be operated under the MSC brand is delivered, things should get going. Atlas Air will be the operating carrier.

The shipping company has appointed Jannie Davel, who previously worked at Delta Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo and DHL, to develop the air cargo business and build the relevant team. “We are delighted to announce the development of MSC Air Cargo and welcome Jannie Davel at the helm of this exciting new offering for MSC customers. This is our first step into this market and we plan to continue exploring different options to develop air freight in a way that complements our core container shipping business,” said MSC President Soren Toft.

The Mediterranean Shipping Company is the third shipping company to enter the air freight business. Competitor CMA-CGM has been in the air for some time, and Maersk followed shortly thereafter. This means that three large container ship companies have entered the air cargo segment within a short space of time.