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MSC has announced the appointment of Søren Toft as CEO, just days after he stepped down as Maersk Line’s chief operating officer.
With Toft to head the company’s container shipping and logistics arm, previous CEO Diego Aponte will become group president while his father Gianluigi Aponte, founder of MSC, is group chairman.
The shipping line noted in a statement: “As the world of shipping continues to evolve through great challenges such as digitalisation and the environmental goals set by the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO), container carriers and their customers face a range of exciting tests and opportunities.
“MSC is delighted that Toft will be supporting the Aponte family at the helm to ensure that the company remains a global leader in the years to come.”
The carrier cited his career background and “pedigree” in the industry, specifically his tenure as chief operating officer at Maersk Line since 2015.
The statement added: “MSC is confident that this appointment will bring significant value to its cargo businesses, building on the company’s existing strengths and boosting its development plans even further.”
Toft will be relocating to Geneva with his wife and family while his start date is still to be announced.
In a conference call with investors last week, Maersk Line’s CEO Søren Skou said that the Danish firm would not “drop the ball” or “lose momentum” despite the loss of Toft due to its “strong bench in operations”.