MSC now calls at KCT
published: Tuesday | May 6, 2003
Brian Phillips (left) Marketing Director and Operations Manager, Michael Sukal (2nd right) of Transocean Shipping, local agents for MSC Shipping Line, present a gift to Rosario Lupo, captain of the MSC vessel Nicole. The presentation was made to commemorate the arrival of the first MSC vessel at the Kingston Container Terminal in April. - Contributed
MEDITERRANEAN SHIPPING Company (MSC), the world's second largest containerised shipping line, recently enhanced their service to Jamaica with the deployment of larger vessels to call at the Port of Kingston. Previously, MSC ships called at Kingston Wharves, but with the deployment of larger vessels, they will now call at the Kingston Container Terminal, which is operated and managed by APM Terminals Jamaica Limited.
With a rotation of five 2,000-twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) ships, the new service pattern is vessel calls to Jacksonville, Florida; Freeport, Bahamas, and Kingston prior to departure for the West Coast of South America. MSC, whose local agent is Transocean Shipping Limited, says Kingston was a "logical addition" to the service loop because of "the steady increase in volumes for Jamaica, plus Kingston's ideal placement between the Freeport hub and the South American West Coast". "Moving to the APM Terminals was a natural progression for us," comments Chris Parvin, MSC USA's Senior Vice President of Operations. "While we are extremely grateful for the service that Kingston Wharves provided over the last year and a half, the nature of our operation and the size and type of vessels that we have now deployed make APM Terminals a better fit for us at this time," he notes. Michelle Nunes, Sales and Marketing Manager for Transocean, says customers welcomed the change and would continue to enjoy the benefits of shipping with MSC. Commenting on MSC's relationship with Jamaica, Brian Philips, Transocean's Director of Marketing observes that, "MSC's growth, both globally and in the region will certainly result in distinct benefits for Jamaica. Transshipment has and will continue to be a key aspect of MSC's operation and success. I certainly see where in the future, MSC and APM Terminals will be able to explore opportunities to work together beyond domestic cargo."
