MSC, the world’s largest shipping ​group, said on Monday that its ownership ‌was transferred from founder Gianluigi Aponte to his two children in the last quarter of 2025.

The Swiss-based company said ​the transfer to Diego and Alexa ​Aponte, respectively group president and chief financial ⁠officer, would ensure continuity and long-term stability ​in a major generational shift at the ​privately-held group.

Italy-born Gianluigi Aponte, who established MSC in 1970 and built it into a global shipping and logistics ​powerhouse, will retain his role as ​executive chairman, the company said, adding that MSC would ‌continue ⁠to focus on its core business of maritime freight transport.

“I am extremely proud of this important moment,” Aponte said in a statement.

His ​children Diego ​and Alexa ⁠are both Italian citizens with Swiss residency and have contributed to ​steer MSC through years of rapid ​expansion, ⁠the company statement said.

MSC has a fleet of about 1,000 ships and operates in 155 ⁠countries, ​calling at 520 ports worldwide. ​It does not disclose financial details.