Gianluigi Aponte

Gianluigi Aponte (born 27 June 1940) is an Italian-Swiss businessman, founder, owner and chairman of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the second-largest container shipping line in the world after Maersk.

Early life

Gianluigi Aponte was born in Sant'Agnello, Italy (near Sorrento, Naples) on 27 June 1940.

Career

Gianluigi Aponte is a Neapolitan captain, who entered the shipping industry in 1970 together with his spouse, Rafaela. At that time, the newly formed company owned a single ship that would ship cargo between Europe and Africa. With the growth of his business he eventually made a move towards the cruise industry in 1988. As of 2014 he has retired from the position of CEO and president in favour of his son, Diego Aponte, and took on a role as group executive chairman within MSC.

Honours

In 2009, at the Teatro di San Carlo of Naples, he received, along with Fabio Cannavaro, Ambra Vallo and others, a prize for "Neapolitan Excellence in the World" from the Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.