MSC - Experts & Thought Leaders

Methane Abatement in Maritime Innovation Initiative (MAMII) announced Royal Caribbean Group, a vacation industry pioneer with a global fleet, has become the latest member to join the cross-sectoral methane abatement initiative. The company is expected to provide valuable insights and support MAMII's ongoing efforts to develop and implement effective methane emission reduction strategies across the maritime industry. Reduction of methane emissions Addressing methane emissions is a key priority for the sector; as transitional fuels such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) are increasingly adopted, pioneers are focused on the reduction of methane emissions to reduce the environmental impact of the value chain. Established in 2022, and led by Safetytech Accelerator, MAMII unites industry pioneers, technology innovators, and maritime stakeholders to develop technologies that monitor, measure, and mitigate methane emissions from LNG-powered ships. Challenges to reduce environmental impact Royal Caribbean Group joins a growing roster of members including BP, CMA CGM, GTT Royal Caribbean Group joins a growing roster of members including BP, CMA CGM, GTT, Lloyd’s Register, Capital Gas, MSC, NYK Lines, and Shell, reflecting the initiative’s broad industry engagement. Steve Price, Programme Director at Safetytech Accelerator, commented: “Methane abatement is an urgent challenge as we work to reduce the maritime sector's environmental impact. Methane’s significant contribution to climate warming makes this an issue we cannot overlook. With Royal Caribbean Group on board, we gain a partner that shares our determination to drive innovation and collaboration in addressing this critical issue.” Net zero emissions by 2050 "We are excited to join industry leaders and collaborate on the MAMII initiative, which we believe will play a critical role in information sharing and tool development needed to manage methane emissions,” said Palle Laursen, executive vice president and head of marine, Royal Caribbean Group. “We are committed to industry collaboration and partnerships like this are key to achieve Destination Net Zero, our decarbonisation strategy to reach net zero emissions by 2050.” MAMII recently published a report examining the scale of methane slip in LNG-fueled vessels and the technologies available to tackle it. The report, available here, serves as a call to action for industry leaders to join the effort in combating methane emissions.

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft (HHLA AG) will continue to be majority-owned by the City of Hamburg and will be further developed together with the new major shareholder Mediterranean Shipping Company, the world's largest container shipping company. Following the approval of the Hamburg parliament and the EU Commission, all closing conditions have now been met with the approval of the Ukrainian merger control authority. Shares in HHLA AG The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg will hold around 69% of the listed shares in HHLA AG, up from 50.1% As previously announced, the transaction will be completed by the end of 2024. MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company has acquired shares from shareholders through a tender offer and on the open market and will also acquire part of the shares previously held by Hamburg.  The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg will hold around 69 percent of the listed shares in HHLA AG, up from 50.1 percent. As with Hamburg Airport, the company will be managed under municipal control, but with the expertise of a private sector partner. Strategic partner for HHLA Dr. Melanie Leonhard, Senator for Economics and Innovation, said: "Our port is an important location for international logistics in Germany and Europe. HHLA will continue to provide reliable services for all customers of the Port of Hamburg. However, in order to continue to fulfil its functions for Hamburg and its hinterland, we need to further develop and modernise the port." "With its expertise in maritime logistics, Mediterranean Shipping Company will be a strategic partner for HHLA in the necessary further development. After extensive consultation and review, all authorities and institutions involved have now determined that there are no legal concerns and that the transaction can be implemented as agreed." Future viability of HHLA Dr. Andreas Dressel, Senator for Finance: "Everything has been thoroughly examined, discussed and weighed up. All commitments will be honoured: The City of Hamburg will retain its majority shareholding in HHLA through our group holding company, HGV. Key agreements have been contractually agreed, including employee co-determination. The proceeds from the transaction and a capital increase by MSC will enable substantial investments of almost half a billion euros in the modernisation and future viability of HHLA, without us having to use additional taxpayers' money." "The partnership must and will now prove itself in practice over the next few years. In the interest of the Port of Hamburg, we should all respect the democratically made decision and wish the partnership every success in terms of value creation and jobs." Long-standing partnership Soren Toft, CEO of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, said: "We are delighted that the transaction is now close to a successful conclusion. Together with the City of Hamburg as majority shareholder, we will support HHLA and the Port of Hamburg to return to a growth path." "As part of our long-standing partnership, we will further strengthen our presence in Hamburg and provide HHLA with additional equity to invest in the modernisation of its infrastructure." Further development of HHLA AG Hamburg and MSC announced a strategic partnership for the further development of HHLA AG On 13 September, Hamburg and MSC announced a strategic partnership for the further development of HHLA AG. The aim of the partnership is to create a strong basis for the sustainable further development of HHLA.  The Port of Hamburg will become an important hub in MSC's global shipping and intermodal network, strengthening its position as a pioneering North-West European trade hub. As part of the agreement, MSC will significantly increase its cargo throughput at HHLA's terminals in Hamburg from 2025. Invest in HHLA From 2031, MSC will handle a minimum volume of 1,000,000 TEUs in Hamburg. Even before the transaction, the shipping line had brought additional liner services to Hamburg. MSC will also locate its new German headquarters for several hundred employees in Hamburg and invest in HHLA. The conditions for completion included merger control clearance of the transaction by the European Commission and the relevant authorities in Georgia, Tunisia and Ukraine, the latter due to the terminal operated by HHLA in Odessa. Strategic partnership In addition, subsidy control approval had to be obtained from the European Commission and foreign trade approval from the competent authorities in Italy, Slovenia, Romania and Denmark. Further steps to implement the strategic partnership will not be taken until the transaction has been completed.

Peel Ports was pleased to welcome the first call of a new direct container service connecting the UK’s North-West with the Far East this week. MSC’s new Britannia Service creates a unique corridor between the two markets and significantly opens up export and import opportunities for businesses looking to utilise the Port of Liverpool’s unique proximity to the heart of the UK. Britannia Service The new service follows increased demand from retailers and importers looking to diversify their supply chain, improve resiliency, and reduce total road miles by ensuring goods arrive closer to their end destination. The first sailing for the service saw the MSC Tokyo arrive in Liverpool from Vietnam, after leaving China. Enhancing customer offerings Michael Collins, Commercial Director at MSC UK, commented, "We are delighted to see the arrival of this highly anticipated direct service connecting Asia with Liverpool which will significantly enhance our customer offering in the UK while reaffirming our partnership with Peel Ports Group." He adds, "Building on our extensive UK port network and established services between the Far East and the UK, the Britannia Service allows customers in the North-West of the UK to bring their cargo closer to its final destination." A smart, sustainable solution David Huck, Chief Operating Officer at Peel Ports Group, said, "The new Britannia service is a significant benefit for Liverpool, and indeed the North." He adds, "In collaboration with MSC, we are delighted to be able to provide businesses with a smarter and more sustainable solution to goods reaching the major distribution hubs of the UK. We’ve always invested for the long term in our facilities and this shows the benefit of that approach." Improving transit times David Huck continues, "With so much pressure currently on the supply chain, the economy, and the environment, this announcement positions a more balanced UK supply chain, bringing with it job creation and much needed leveling-up approach for the North." The updated network is designed to improve services and transit times between Asia and North Europe, offering new port pairs, while adapting to the ongoing challenges of port congestion in Europe.