MSC Logo

MSC Cruise LogoMSC Logo PNG

Mediterranean Shipping Company is in the container shipping business, so its logo represents its readiness to deliver goods on time anywhere in the world. In addition, the MSC logo symbolizes a new dawn and movement towards a better future.

MSC: Brand overview

Mediterranean Shipping Company was founded by Gianluigi Aponte, born in 1940 near Sorrento. After early work on ferries between Naples and Capri and studies in Geneva, he returned to shipping in 1970. With a $5,000 loan, he bought the used German cargo ship MV Patricia and founded MSC.

In 1971, the second vessel, Rafaela, joined the fleet, followed by Ilse in 1973. Aponte’s model was practical: buy cheap second-hand ships, repair them in Italian yards, and open routes other carriers ignored. By 1978, MSC had moved its headquarters to Geneva and expanded toward the Indian Ocean and South Africa. In the early 1980s, the company shifted from conventional cargo ships to container shipping. In 1988, MEDLOG was created for land and port operations.

That same year, MSC entered the cruise industry by buying the passenger ship Monterey. In 1989, it acquired Lauro Lines, later renamed StarLauro Cruises. After the Achille Lauro fire and sinking in 1994, the cruise arm was reorganized as MSC Cruises in 1995. The former Cunard Princess became MSC Rhapsody, and in 2003, Fincantieri delivered MSC Lirica, the first ship built specifically for the company.

In 2000, Diego Aponte founded Terminal Investment Limited to manage port terminals. In 2014, he became CEO, while Gianluigi Aponte stayed executive chairman. In 2015, MSC formed the 2M alliance with AP Møller-Mærsk. In 2022, MSC passed Maersk as the world’s largest container line by fleet capacity. MSC Cruises ranks third by passenger traffic after Carnival Corporation and Royal Caribbean Cruises.

Meaning and History

MSC Cruise Symbol

Brand recognition is high among travel enthusiasts in Europe and other popular destinations. For all this time, one logo has been presented, and therefore it is easily recognizable against the background of competitors who often try to modernize emblems and other visual attributes.

Speaking globally, it consists of a verbal inscription bearing the company name and an emblem on the left. If we talk about the verbal inscription, then it is located in two lines. The name “MSC” is written in powerful capital letters. For this abbreviation, a classic bold serif font was used. On the second line, also in capital letters, but in a much smaller size, “Cruises” is written. Do not forget that the parent company has several activities, including freight transportation.

What is a Mediterranean Shipping Company?

This is one of the most famous companies in the world, specializing in cargo shipping. More than 50 years of experience have allowed the company to establish optimal logistics routes.

If we talk about the emblem, it is a stylized sun inside, with an abbreviation in two lines. The letter “m” is written on the top more voluminously, and “sc” is on the bottom. Between these lines, there is a wavy horizontal line. The sun is depicted as a white circle with a yellow outline. Twelve rays depart from this circle so that you can see the analogy with the clock.

In general, the logo looks maximally and progressively. People who get acquainted with it immediately have associations with warm weather and sea travel.

Font and Color

MSC Cruise Emblem

For the word lettering, a classic bold serif font was used. However, the main “highlight” is the size of the letters. If, on the first line, they look more powerful, indicating that the company is a world leader in marine tourism, then the additional inscription “Cruise” only confirms this.

The color palette consists of navy blue and white. In principle, the choice is expected because many people associate the color blue with water in the ocean.