Beyond cargo: The family culture behind MSC

For 30 years, MSC’s Asia Regional Office in Singapore has emphasized people over cargo. Vessels in the company’s fleet have been named after employees and their loved ones - a tradition that began with founder Gianluigi Aponte in 1970 and continues under the second generation today. This focus on personal relationships and lasting ties reflects a family-oriented culture built around strong connections.

At the Asia Regional Office, managing director Grace Chia is one of several employees whose own name is carried by a ship. MSC Jewel, launched in 2019, is named after Ms Chia's daughter. Logistics director Raj Mohamed’s daughter named MSC Rifaya, built in 2017, while operations director Kelvin Tan’s daughter is the godmother of MSC Faith, built in 2019. MSC Claire, scheduled to launch in 2026, will bear the name of IT director Duncan Ng’s daughter. All four have spent between 26 and 30 years at MSC.

Ms Chia’s 30-year career at MSC has been a journey of growth, taking her from documentation executive to senior leadership. Her interest in the maritime industry began during school, where she participated in Laser sailing. She joined MSC in 1999 and has since navigated roles in trade management, sales, marketing, and regional business support across Asia.

Her name now joins those carried by MSC’s fleet with the launch of MSC Grace in 2025. Ms Chia credits her mentors for supporting her transitions, which challenged her to learn new skills, broaden her perspective, and step outside her comfort zone. She now uses her leadership position to mentor female middle managers through MSC’s diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

MSC’s people-first culture extends beyond individual career development. The company supports employees in various ways, providing opportunities to develop their skills through programs like the MSC Managers Academy, targeted pathways for high-potential employees, in-house training sessions, and global conferences. Employees can also access e-learning platforms, industry certifications, cross-functional teamwork, and internal knowledge-sharing sessions.

The maritime industry has evolved in recent years, becoming more diverse, globally connected, and digitally enabled. This shift has created new possibilities for professionals. MSC has adapted by offering AI awareness workshops and digital upskilling courses, as well as dedicated Microsoft Teams channels with guidance on AI productivity tools.

The company also encourages employees to support causes they care about, including environmental stewardship. Through the MSC Cares movement, colleagues engage in volunteer activities focused on employee well-being, community outreach, and environmental conservation. One recent initiative raised funds for National Parks Board’s 100k Corals Initiative, with employees visiting Sisters’ Islands Marine Park to learn about coral restoration.

Another effort, Green Enablers, is an internal sustainability certification program that equips employees to champion environmentally responsible practices. Certified Green Enablers collaborate with organizations like recycling facilities and power plants to learn about eco-friendly practices and implement them in the workplace.

These initiatives complement MSC’s Sustainability Roadmap, which aims to decarbonize logistics and preserve marine biodiversity. By 2050, MSC plans to achieve net-zero emissions, with fleet renewal through newbuilds and retrofits playing a key role.