MSC moves into Freo

ONE of the world’s largest shippers, the Mediterranean Shipping Company, is moving its Australian head office to Fremantle.

MSC WA manager Mark Godfrey said the Geneva-based company’s Fremantle office already carried out the Austra-lian functions of trans-shipment and import manifests.

The move from the east coast should be completed by late January and will increase the WA office’s staffing level to 85.

Mr Godfrey said WA was chosen for the headoffice for timezone reasons.

“We deal a lot with South Africa and Singapore so it makes sense to have the operation over here,” he said.

The company has 134 container ships under its flag.

It also operates a cruise line.

Seafreight Export Council executive director Michael O’Callaghan said the MSC move to Fremantle was of major importance for the port city.

“MSC is one of the biggest and fastest-growing shipping companies in the world,” Mr O’Callaghan said.

The company has been operating in Australia for the past 11 years.