MSC Offers a New Alternative for Vehicle Import in Containers

MSC held a professional conference for car importers (March 4) at the Whiskey Museum in the Sarona complex in Tel Aviv. The conference was held in an intimate format with the participation of dozens of leading car importers.

The conference focused on an innovative solution offered by the company, of shipping cars in containers as an alternative to Ro-Ro ships for car imports to Israel, especially during the 'Iron Sword' war, a solution that became optimal, given that Ro-Ro ships from the East avoided docking ports in our area due to the threat of Houthi rebels.

Leah Bogatz-Genusar, CEO of MSC Israel, stated that this is a groundbreaking event for the industry, bringing together all relevant parties - importers, ports, and logistics partners - with the aim of leading a significant change in the field of car imports to Israel. According to her, Tamar Landa and Adni Samkin, who are considered pioneers in the field within the company, led the process and contributed greatly to the implementation of innovative sinking solutions. "We see the transition from Ro-Ro ship transport to container transport as a global strategic move that provides a reliable, efficient, and more flexible solution for car importers in the country," she said.

Guy Tzafati, Supply Chain Manager at Frisbee from Carasso Motors Group, shared his experience in implementing the new method and said that initially there were concerns about unloading damage and detention times, but it turned out that the damage rate in container transport is particularly low - only 0.2%. According to him, in the past year, Frisbee has transported more than 18,000 cars in containers through MSC.

He emphasized that MSC managed to meet delivery times impressively, and today this solution has become an integral part of their activity. According to him, the transition to container transport allows importers flexible inventory management, with higher frequency shipments and the ability to receive cars at several ports in Israel, including the HCT Port and Haifa Port.

"You can't succeed in working with suppliers - you can succeed in working with business partners. And MSC is definitely a business partner and a very significant part of us as a car importer. Thank you," he said. Tzafati praised the activity of the HCT Port where MSC's ships arrive, which he said "go out of their way to transfer the containers in feeders to Haifa Port. Huge kudos."

Bogatz-Genusar also referred to MSC's commitment to Israel, especially since the outbreak of the 'Iron Sword' war. She noted that the company was among the few shipping companies that continued to operate in Israel without interruption, added lines, and even chose not to impose a War Risk Surcharge out of understanding of the economic challenges in the local market. In addition, the company consistently works to assist the community, including donations to Barzilai Hospital and other entities in Israel.

The conference ended optimistically, with a call for importers to examine the new solutions and try the transition to the container transport method. "We are here to support you, to find solutions for every need and to provide the best service," Bogatz-Gnusar noted. "The new model offered by MSC, along with the company's innovative approach to the Israeli market, may change the way cars arrive in Israel and offer importers a flexible alternative, with more profitable and reliable bi-weekly availability."