MSC pays tribute to Port of Ngqura

The grand opening of the Port of Ngqura by President Jacob Zuma saw Captain Salvatore Sarno, SA chairman of the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) – the first line to make regular use of the port – presenting a beautiful model of the MSC Catania, the first MSC ship to call there, as a testimony to the ongoing success of this port. Describing the port as “a magnificent engineering achievement,” Sarno added: “Our active participation in the utilisation of this container terminal reflects our belief in the economic growth and in the future of this wonderful country.” In September 2009, Sarno told an audience including senior members of the national and provincial governments and high-ranking Transnet executives, he was requested to utilise the new terminal, because Transnet’s negotiations with another shipping line had failed. “Within three days,” he said, “I had prepared a plan of action for an immediate utilisation of this terminal - and on the 4th of October the MSC Catania, our first vessel, berthed at 12 o’clock that morning. “Since then, we have had 455 vessels calling at the port and 664 304 MSC TEUs have been handled. To date we have paid Transnet at Ngqura a staggering amount of R650-million.” But the line is not stopping there, Sarno added. “We have decided to participate more actively in the education of the South African shipping mentality by employing in our offices 40 young trainees each year,” he said. “And, in addition to this, Gianluigi Aponte, the president of MSC, has decided to train 10 South African navigational cadets on board our various vessels.”