Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has expanded its presence in the air cargo sector, increasing its fleet from zero to five aircraft in 21 months. The company launched MSC Air Cargo in October 2022 to strengthen its global logistics network across road, rail, air, and sea.
A recent case study by IBS Software, titled ‘How MSC Air Cargo Went from Start-up to Double-Digit Growth with iCargo,’ details MSC’s expansion into air cargo and the role of technology in supporting its rapid growth.
MSC operates over 300 trade routes and serves more than 520 ports. The company needed a flexible cargo management system that could scale with growth, adapt to complex operations, and facilitate talent recruitment. The absence of a pre-existing technology framework required the company to build everything from the ground up while aircraft were already operating.
Manual processes created inefficiencies and complexity, leading to the need for an integrated system. MSC sought an experienced partner to quickly deploy its core system while upgrading value-added functionality as the business evolved and expanded.
To address these challenges, MSC Air Cargo partnered with IBS Software and implemented the iCargo platform. IBS Software deployed a phased implementation approach, launching the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) in five weeks. MSC Air Cargo chose IBS Software’s iCargo for its cargo management platform after a thorough analysis of requirements.
The company trusted IBS Software’s ability to implement the platform quickly and effectively, given its proven results in other parts of the business. IBS Software adopted an agile implementation methodology, working closely with MSC teams to address their unique needs. The company focused on essential functionalities for the initial go-live and defined a roadmap for future module enhancements.
In 2024, MSC Air Cargo acquired AlisCargo and introduced Road Feeder Services and Pharma Products. The adoption of iCargo supported cargo handling, network alignment, and scalability. The company implemented a modern, adaptable cargo management platform built on the latest technologies, providing flexibility as its business grew while avoiding the drawbacks of competitors’ legacy applications.
MSC Air Cargo continues to expand its operations using digital tools to introduce new services and manage its network.