On April 13 local time, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s largest container shipping line, announced in a statement issued in Geneva, Switzerland, that it had completed the intergenerational transfer of company ownership. The transition was actually finalized in the fourth quarter of 2025, with this official disclosure confirming the company’s governance structure.

According to the announcement, control of the company has been transferred to the children of founder Gianluigi Aponte: Diego Aponte, current Group President, and Alexa Aponte Vago, Group Chief Financial Officer. The two will jointly lead the global shipping giant. Meanwhile, Gianluigi Aponte will continue to serve as Executive Chairman and participate in the group’s strategic decision-making.

In a statement, Aponte said the transition not only recognizes the long-term contributions of the two successors but also symbolizes the continuation of the family’s shipping tradition. He expressed confidence that under the new generation of management, MSC will sustain its growth and uphold its corporate spirit of innovation and resilience.

Founded in 1970, MSC started with just one secondhand cargo vessel under Aponte. Over more than five decades of development, it has grown into a leading enterprise in the global shipping industry. As of April 13, 2026, data from Alphaliner shows MSC operates 997 vessels with a total capacity of approximately 7.29 million TEU, ranking first worldwide. It also has a newbuilding orderbook of 126 vessels totaling around 2.15 million TEU, putting it on track to become the first container shipping line globally to own 1,000 container ships.

Currently, MSC operates in 155 countries worldwide, with 675 offices, running about 300 shipping routes and calling at 520 ports. It handles an annual volume of roughly 30 million TEUs and employs more than 200,000 people. Beyond container shipping, its business extends to cruise lines, terminal operations, integrated logistics, tanker shipping, car transportation and other sectors.

As a family-controlled enterprise, MSC has long maintained a low profile and not disclosed detailed financial data. This ownership transfer marks the company’s official entry into a new development phase led by the second generation of the founding family.