«As long as the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains like this, we will not enter with our ships, that’s for sure». Speaking is Diego Aponte, president of MSC and son of the group’s founder. Now, he continues, «we need to see what happens in the other Strait, that of Bab-el-Mandeb, because it seems they opened fire on two ships this morning and, therefore, everything becomes more complicated now, both for oil tanker traffic and for container ship traffic. We, however, continue to navigate via the Cape of Good Hope, we do not take any kind of risk to safeguard our crews, which is what matters most. Let’s see how it ends».
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Aponte, who is at the helm of the world’s number one container shipping company, spoke on the sidelines of the delivery ceremony for the Explora III cruise unit (from MSC Cruises’ Explora Journeys brand), built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Genoa. Focusing not so much on the event as on the situation in the cargo sector, the shipowner recalled the emissions reduction policy applied by the group also in container transport. On the one hand, «with cold ironing» (i.e., shore-to-ship power supply for vessels at berth) and «obviously – he added – also with all LNG ships, therefore dual fuel. I think we have set the direction, at least for the container shipping sector, and I believe that, even if LNG won’t bring us to zero, it still gives us a good 25% less emissions. Which, in my opinion, is already very important, with the orderbook we have for new vessels: it will certainly contribute very positively to the environment».
Orderbook of approximately 130 units
As for the number of units on order, «I don’t remember – Aponte said to those who asked him to quantify it – we deliberately keep it fluid. However, there are quite a few ships, it will be 130». He then added that MSC will continue to invest in the acquisition of port berths. «Any terminal – he said – is important for our group, so we will continue to invest».
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The shipowner also stated that he «sees well» the container market: «Ours is a business linked to GDP and, as you know, to demographics. Therefore, as long as GDP and demographics grow, the container shipping sector, in my opinion, is doing well. Obviously, we need to see what happens with this geopolitical situation; if the straits reopen, of course, there will be a bit more shipping on the market, but I’m not worried».
Regarding the possibility of using an Arctic route, Aponte is unequivocal: «It is a wrong and dangerous passage for the environment. We will always be against it and, therefore, we will not touch the Arctic route». Finally, regarding the position taken by the EU on the revision of the ETS, «mistakes have been made – says the shipowner – nothing has been voted on yet and it will be discussed at the end of the year. But what was put on the table for the problem of ports has not been resolved».
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