Concerns for the safety of its staff have forced Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) to close its head office serving South Africa’s biggest port, according to a statement released this morning.
“We regret to advise that due to the political unrest, which started over the weekend in KwaZulu-Natal and which has spilled over into neighbouring provinces, and is ongoing this morning, namely protests, blockades, looting and general lawlessness, our Durban head office has been forced to close,” the line says.
“All operations in the Port of Durban are currently at a standstill - and whilst there are some skeleton staff at Durban MSC Logistics and MSC Depots, due to the disruption, it is highly unlikely that they will be fully operational today.”
Customers are requested to reroute any calls to MSC’s offices in Durban to the carrier’s offices in Cape Town and Sandton, using the following respective numbers: 021 405 2000 and 011 263 2000.