A one-ship operation at the end of 1970 to became the world’s second largest container carrier, with 420 local offices and 435 cargo vessels serving 306 ports across six continents

The celebration was held on board MSC Splendida at the port of Ashdod. MSC Israel president, Edni Simkin, noted that the company will transport TEU300,000 this year, making it the second largest shipping company in Israel

The company noted that the new service will commence on August 23rd and will call at Haifa and Ashdod on fixed day

This is the largest passenger ship ever to visit Israel. MSC Israel president: There is hope that the company will add Israel to its regular sailing schedule

Transit time from Israel to Novorossiysk will be 4 – 5 days and the company will operate 2 dedicated feeder vessels

The cooperation which began in January 2009 was arranged in order to serve the Israeli agricultural season which officially ended at the end of June

The company will use the port of Felixstowe instead of Le Havre as transshipment hub for north European ports

The pirates tried to board the vessel but were deterred when Israeli security guards on board the ship opened fire at the pirates