According to a report by Lloyd’s List on January 24, thanks to its good performance in 2021, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world’s largest liner company with sufficient funds, will expand its business again, this time targeting the air freight field.

Lloyd’s List:

In its latest statement, MSC said it was interested in acquiring a majority stake in Italian airline ITA Airways.

“We plan to form a partnership with the Italian government and Lufthansa to participate in this acquisition,” MSC explained. According to MSC, Lufthansa has already expressed interest in participating in the acquisition.

However, no further details were disclosed as the deal still needs regulatory approval.

It is understood that ITA Airways is an airline wholly owned by the Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance. It will start operations in October 2021, with its business focus on Rome and Milan.

Initially, ITA Airways had 59 routes, which is expected to grow to 89 by 2025. In addition, the company’s fleet size is 52 in the initial stage of operation, which is expected to increase to 78 in 2022 and 105 in 2025.

If the acquisition goes well, it will be MSC’s first foray into the air freight business and another blockbuster acquisition after MSC’s two consecutive acquisitions in 2021.

MSC, which has always been very cautious in the field of acquisitions, has acquired Log-In Logistica Intermodal, a Brazilian integrated logistics solution provider, and Bolloré Africa Logistics, the largest logistics operator in Africa, in 2021.

The acquisition of airline equity also proves once again that under the current special market environment, the ability to provide full-process services in the supply chain will become the core competitiveness of liner companies.

Before MSC, large liner companies including Maersk and CMA CGM had already set their sights on the field of air transport.

In February 2021, CMA CGM established a dedicated air cargo division, CMA CGM AIR CARGO, and started commercial operations in March of that year.

Maersk acquired Senator International, a global freight forwarder headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, in November 2021, aiming to enhance the flexibility and resilience of logistics and supply chains.