From the Managing Director's Desk
Welcome to this edition of “MSC Sea News”.
Our
big news is that the industry publication “Containerisation International”
has moved MSC up the ladder from number five to number two in the world
ranking of container operators. This position has been achieved by the
delivery of eight new builds each of 6,700 TEU capacity and the purchase
of other vessels. The number of vessels operating under the MSC flag is
now 183 and the TEU capacity of the fleet is 413,814. There are plans
for the introduction of another 17 ships over the next two years. This
includes a further seven new 6,700 TEU vessels, orders for which have already
been placed with shipyards.
We have reprints of the “Containerisation International” article in which this news is reported and will be sending copies to all of our friends. If by some chance you miss out and would like a copy please call our Client Service staff nearest to your location. The phone numbers are listed in this newsletter.
You will find in this issue a report about the MSC international soccer tournament and the success of the teams from Australia. I am very grateful to the sponsors listed in the article for their contribution which made participation from Australia possible.
I draw your attention to the articles about the services available through MSC Travel and also to the very special bargain filled cruise holidays on the MSC Cruise ships, including the brand new “MSC Lirica” which enters service next April.
Happy reading.
MUNDIALITO 2002, Livorno, Italy
Following last year’s attendance at the annual MSC soccer tournament held in Barcelona, Spain, MSC Australia again participated in this year’s competition held in Livorno, Italy. Last year we fielded a men’s team only, but this year we were pleased to add a women’s team to the international list of participants.
The women candidates went through a rigorous training and selection process, which was conducted over a period of several months. Of the eleven players selected only four had played soccer before, so the task at hand looked substantial.
The team did us proud – they joined 15 other teams in the competition, and throughout the tournament faced Spain, Germany, Geneva and South Africa. For their first attempt the result was exceptional to finish 4th out of 12 teams. The work that the women put in to get the fitness levels and skills levels up was fantastic. Considering most of the women struggled to kick or head a ball at our first training sessions, to be able to slide tackle, use one touch passing and shooting in this tournament was a credit to their endeavours, tenacity and hard work through five months of daily practice. Thanks go to coach Mark Godfrey, and to Zeljko Bilcic and Geoff Wilson for all their help in preparing the women’s team.
The men also underwent stringent selection and training processes, with the final lineup being confirmed only in the week prior to departure for Europe. MSC was better prepared this year thanks to the great work of our coach Yuksel Kara as well as the support of the MSCA Directors.
Our men’s team met with Medite UK and Geneva, Medlog Antwerp, France, and Spain. David Onoforo and David Borg in particular acquitted themselves very well on the field. MSC Australia was placed a credible 9th out of 24 teams, a good achievement considering the men’s tournament included eight additional teams and the skill levels were considerably higher this year.
Back row - left to right
Mark Godfrey, Andrew Karas, Debra Waters, Kevin Fontana, Warren Borg, Rebecca Rourke, Dani'el Fisher, Fahri Hassan, Sabrina Mahon, Sally Griffith, Carlos Molina, Daryl Caporn, Zeljko Bilcic, Chris Metcalf.
Middle row - left to right
Regen Maxwell, Melanie Ducray, Elena Micro, Kellie O'Quinn, Russell Kerley, Lloyd Myburg.
Front row - left to right
Rachal Allen, Don Fernandez, David Onoforo, David Borg, Darrell Blow, Yuksel Kara.
Of course, the extent of our participation was only made possible with
the generous support of our sponsors, who donated cash and items to assist
us in getting our players over to Europe. We therefore wholeheartedly
thank:
Aggreko; Associated Container Services; Castellino Marine; C.C. Container
Services; CDS Overseas; Chalmers Industries; Container Refrigeration Services;
Corporate Express; CSX World Terminals; Dewavrin Australia; FCL Interstate
Transport Services; Feliba; Flinders Ports; Fremantle Port Authority;
Gateway Container Park; Gluck Forwarding Systems; Integrated Container
Logistics; Jeld-Wen Fibre; J F Hillebrand Group; Patrick Corporation;
Rohlig Australia; Symons & Clark Transport
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On Wednesday 20 September at the Annual Lloyd'sList DCN Awards Dinner in Melbourne, we were presented with the Customer Service Award for the Europe and the Mediterranean Trade along with the award for Schedule reliability to North Asia (joint MSC/Maersk service). The joint MSC/Maersk schedule reliability to East Asia was highly commended.
Senior management and client focused staff were fortunate enough to be invited to the first annual Sales/Client Services Conference held at the Stamford Grand Hotel in Adelaide from Friday September 6th to Sunday September 8th. All MSCA offices were represented (including Tasmania and NZ) for what was to prove a very beneficial weekend of training, presentations and getting to know each other.
The weekend began with a cocktail party on Friday evening. This gave everyone a chance to settle in and put faces to the many names that we speak to on a daily basis. The night kicked on at Rickshaws Cocktail Bar in the hotel premises, with a great time had by all.
Saturday was a full day of training, presented by the Australian Institute of Management. Staff were split into Client Services and Sales groups, and then attended the full day course relating to their area of expertise. State Managers, Kevin, Chris and Alex also used this time for a state manager's meeting to discuss the relevant topics of the moment.
I found the Client Services course to be interesting and was able to take a lot of tips away for use in day to day dealing with clients’ needs. The emphasis was on building rapport and trust with clients which enables free flowing communication, the foundation of a good working relationship.
The training courses were followed by a presentation by Proware on the new Goldmine system. Staff were given the opportunity to ask questions regarding the new system, which we rely on heavily to record and monitor client details.
Saturday night was spent dining at Liddo's Restaurant followed by another night at Rickshaws. Again, everyone enjoyed themselves, some a little too much.
Sunday morning featured a number of presentations, including procrastination by Lynne Clarke, MSC Travel by Sandra Hansen & Kellie O’Quinn, EMAS and Link by Clive Boxer, Marketing Reports with Michael Stal and an update on the MSCA business plan and future MSC development with Alex Ellis. Alex also gave a brief update on the issues discussed at the State Manager's meeting the day before. The morning ended with an open forum which gave staff a chance to ask questions of a group made up of State Managers, Kevin Clark, Chris Neale, Alex Ellis, Anne Wylie and Brigitta Janauschek.
By Sunday afternoon we were all going our separate ways. I found the weekend to be very successful, with the biggest benefit being the connections we made with each other face to face, which can only enhance our working relationships when we return to work.
The
conference should continue to be a success as an annual event. I am certainly
looking forward to next year.
Story By John Temme
Operations Co-ordinator - Planning Department.
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MSC Travel -“Around Australia or around the World, we cover it all”
MSC Travel is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mediterranean Shipping Company. MSC Travel is a boutique corporate agency affiliated with the American Express Travel network, with offices in Sydney and Melbourne. A company that is innovative, pro-active and dynamic, large enough to be highly regarded in our field and small enough to give that personalised service everyone enjoys so much.
For details on our website
and latest travel specials in our November newsletter please click
here OR alternatively, if you would like to make a travel enquiry
please click on either office to email MSC
Sydney Travel or MSC Melbourne
Travel
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MSCA Sydney’s new office within the King Street Wharf development at Darling Harbour is presently under construction. It is on the top floor of the last stage of the waterfront development, directly alongside the Overseas Passengers Terminal and opposite the Maritime Museum.
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One of the first decisions made by our interior design company was where to place the scale model of the MSC Melissa, a gift presented to the Sydney office by Mr Gianluigi Aponte, the President of MSC Geneva. This was not a simple task due to the size of the model – 2.45 metres in length, and weighing 120kg.
The real MSC Melissa is employed in the trade between Europe and the Far East. This ship is one of the ten vessels of 6750 TEU capacity built to MSC's specifications for this trade.
In fact, the model is too large to fit comfortably into the lift at our current office at 155 George Street, and so had to be placed into storage upon arrival. Upon checking the dimensions of the lifts in the new building, it became obvious that we would have the same problem getting the model into the new office! The solution?
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With help from Landbridge Transport, Patricks and Multiplex, the model was craned onto the building site, and now sits proudly amongst the construction material on level 4!
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Unfortunately we can’t show you what the model looks like, you’ll have to wait until you visit our new office, where it will be proudly displayed in reception.
In
the meantime, many thanks to Landbridge Transport, Patricks and Mulitplex.
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MSC Cruises News Flash
New
super-liner launched to cruise The
Mediterranean
A new era in Mediterranean fly-cruise holidays will open up for Australian travelers in the European spring of 2003 when the newly launched super liner MSC Lirica begins its regular sailings.
Her maiden voyage on April 13, 2003 will coincide with the start of Australia's autumn fly-cruise season.
At 58,600 tons of unabashed luxury, the MSC Lirica will become the flagship of Mediterranean Shipping Cruises, to head its current fleet of MSC Melody, MSC Monterey and MSC Rhapsody.
Ms Lynne Clarke, MSC Cruises spokesperson, says the new ship was a natural progression following the success of it's fly-cruise programs during the past four years in Australia.
"The Lirica's high-tech aerodynamic and aesthetic design extends to the ship's 795 luxury cabins, 132 with their own balconies, 387 facing the sea, and four ergonomically fitted out cabins for disabled passengers", she said.
All cabins will provide cable TV, radio, mini-bar, ensuite bathrooms and 24 hour room service.
A high-tech virtual reality centre and a 16 terminal internet cafe will both entertain and provide 24 hour email facilities for passengers.
The Lirica is set to surpass all culinary expectations with its two restaurants, a grill and pizzeria, headed by the best of Italian chefs. The ship's sommeliers will present an international wine list to match the gourmet fare.
The children's Mini Club will ensure that parents can have the maximum amount of enjoyment during their cruise. The theatre, nightclub and disco will provide elegant venues for night-time entertainment.
The maiden seven-night cruise from Genoa will take in Naples, Palermo, Tunis, Palma, Barcelona and Marseilles.
Following
it's maiden voyage the Lirica will operate a series of 28 seven-night
cruises out of Genoa. She will then begin 11 nights cruising to the east
and west Mediterranean. Her voyages to the east will include Alexandria
and a special Christmas voyage.
For more information please call MSC Cruises toll free from Australia on 1800 028 502 or from New Zealand on 0508 427 8473 and talk to one of our friendly cruise consultants or visit us at www.msc.com.au/cruises.
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Stay tuned for the next edition of "MSC Sea News", to be published in the New Year.