Firm operates seven freight aircraft on more than 30 routes weekly, serving over 17 destinations

Viewing Shanghai as a strategic cornerstone of its global network, MSC Air Cargo is well positioned to serve its strategy of growing alongside the Chinese market following the establishment of a cargo station in Shanghai and the rapid expansion of its operations in China, said a top executive of the company.

"If you look at the global trade lanes and trade corridors, China is very much a core component in the globe. So we selected Shanghai as one of the strongest additional markets to support any growth of products for MSC Air Cargo," said Jannie Davel, CEO of MSC Air Cargo, the air cargo division of Geneva-headquartered MSC Group, during an exclusive interview with China Daily.

"We strongly believe that Shanghai has the capability to continue to be one of the strongest places," said Davel on his visit to Shanghai in late April. The company launched the Shanghai station last month.

Regarding Shanghai's ambition to become a global shipping center, Davel said he sees immense opportunities, given Shanghai's status as one of the world's largest trading ports.

"Shanghai and Hong Kong are two of our biggest gateways. (The launch of) the Shanghai station is very much part of our China gateway strategy in terms of growing with China," Davel said.

Globally, MSC Air Cargo has five major gateways, which are Hong Kong, Shanghai, Malpensa of Italy, Liege in Belgium and Mexico City.

"Every decision we have made over the past two years, from our partnerships to our route development, has been shaped by our belief in the importance of this market," he said.

According to Davel, the agreement signed with the logistics unit of Shanghai Airport (Group) — also known as Shanghai Airport Authority Logistics Development Co — in November has helped MSC Air Cargo grow through adding two new flights, including two weekly in Shanghai, and four in Ezhou, Hubei province.

"Shanghai Airport Authority Logistics Development Co was a very key partner in helping us facilitate our establishment here ... They have been very instrumental for us in helping us start in such a great market," said Davel.

Established in October 2022, MSC Air Cargo has grown rapidly from a single aircraft into a scalable intercontinental platform operating a fleet of seven cargo aircraft on more than 30 routes weekly, serving over 17 destinations in Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Americas.

"China is very much part of our strategy to continue to grow. More than half (16) of the routes are from or to Chinese destinations," Davel said.

According to Davel, the Chinese mainland contributes between 17 and 18 percent of global air cargo business in terms of tonnage, and that of the Chinese market (including Hong Kong) is between 20 and 21 percent.

"You have to be part of that growth, and we continue to see opportunities," Davel said.

Since his first visit to China back in 1999, Davel said that over the past few decades he was impressed with the quality and speed of China's development.

China's total social logistics value expanded 5.1 percent year-on-year to 368.2 trillion yuan ($54.23 trillion) in 2025, and the nation's logistics sector generated a combined revenue of 14.3 trillion yuan during the same period, up 4.1 percent from a year ago, according to data from the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing.

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China's logistics sector has gone through effective growth during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period. The fact that it has retained the title of the largest logistics market in scale globally for the tenth consecutive year fully demonstrates China's strengths as a supersized market, and such advantages have played a positive role in supporting the nation's economic development, Cai Jin, president of the China Federation of Logistics &Purchasing, was quoted as saying by CCTV news.

In December 2022, MSC Air Cargo kicked off its first operation in Xiamen, Fujian province. The company currently operates in six Chinese cities including Hong Kong, Ezhou, Shanghai, Xiamen, as well as Guangzhou and Shenzhen in Guangdong province.

"Our presence in China is built on trust, mutual respect and a shared belief that strong local partnerships are the foundation of reliable global logistics," Davel noted.

Contact the writers at wang_ying@chinadaily.com.cn