MSC to launch cargo airline

MSC container ship and aircraft
Photo: © Wolfgang Fricke

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has announced that it will launch a cargo airline in 2023. The company will offer air cargo operations as a complementary service to its container shipping solutions.

MSC Air Cargo’s fleet will consist of four MSC-branded Boeing 777-200F aircraft. All four cargo jets will be operated by Atlas Air under an ACMI-agreement and are part of Atlas Air’s order that was announced in January.

MSC Boeing 777 cargo aircraft
A computer rendering of MSC Air Cargo’s Boeing 777F jet. Photo: © MSC

According to the latest Alphaliner Top-100 figures, MSC is the largest shipping company worldwide, followed by Maersk and CMA CGM. In recent months, all three of the largest container shipping companies entered the air cargo business: In March 2021, transport group CMA CGM started a cargo airline, operating Airbus A330 freighter aircraft. Furthermore, Danish container shipping line Maersk also launched a freighter airline.

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