The Group has spoken directly with Bahamas Prime Minister Hubert Minnis and held preliminary talks about how its cargo and cruise divisions and charitable foundation can support and coordinate logistics for immediate and longer-term relief efforts and their funding.
Immediate focus on prefabricated housing
Initially, MSC will provide and deliver goods of primary necessity, focused on semi-permanent prefabricated modular housing for people in the areas most affected by the hurricane. Also, cargo ships will be made available to carry relief supplies from the US to the Freeport and Marsh Harbour (Abaco) container terminals.
Members of MSC Group’s US senior management team and leaders from the company’s philanthropic arm, MSC Foundation, are heading Nassau for meetings with local officials, community leaders and key relief and recovery organizations to identify the most timely and urgent additional relief needs that the Group can support.
In addition, the meetings will gauge longer-term in-kind and funding needs of the local population and businesses as they look to rebuild.
'Heartbreaking' devastation
‘Heartbreaking’ is how Gianluigi Aponte, executive chairman and founder of MSC Group, summed up the devastation of Hurricane Dorian. ‘The thoughts and prayers of my entire family are with the people of the Bahamas and their families and loved ones,’ he said.
‘As a family company and one that has lived off the sea for over 300 years, we are fully committed to supporting both immediate and longer-term relief and recovery efforts in the Bahamas,’ Aponte added. ‘Our businesses have long been closely tied to the Bahamas and its people, with a rich history spanning over many decades. We now look forward to supporting their efforts to rebuild and recover in every way we can and through all our businesses.’
Freeport headquarters
MSC Group through its MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co. has been present in the region for the past 20 years and it has long been the leading cargo import and export operator in the Bahamas. Its local headquarters are based in Freeport. The relief operation will involve a number of MSC hubs in the region, in the US, the Caribbean and beyond.
See also 'Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings promises $1m to help Bahamas,' ‘Carnival, Tropical Shipping to deliver South Florida’s Bahamas donations,’ ‘Carnival Corp., Arisons pledge $2m to help Bahamas,’ ‘Royal Caribbean commits $1m to Bahamas recovery,’ ‘Walt Disney Co. pledges $1m-plus for Bahamas hurricane relief’ and ‘Our hearts go out to the Bahamas’
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