MSC Cruises has praised the city of Genoa for their initiative and foresight in upgrading its port facilities through a 13-million euro investment program that focused on the dredging, extension and enlarging of quay 1012 in the historical maritime station, Ponte dei Mille, famously known as the point from which all ocean liners started their transatlantic voyages to America over a century ago.

Speaking at the inauguration of the impressive new quay, last Saturday September 24, MSC Cruises CEO, Pierfrancesco Vago, said Genoa’s commitment to ensuring port infrastructure is kept at the highest of standards can be viewed as an example to city and port authorities around the world.

“Port cities like Genoa are shining examples of how efficient and timely team work between all major stakeholders can achieve top results. I thank you most sincerely. The seriousness of this commitment is as strong as my belief that the upgrading of port facilities and maritime structures for new generation vessels is so valuable that its importance can never be taken for granted. Through quay 1012 the city of Genoa has shown a keen understanding of the major economical impact that the cruise sector, and MSC in particular, brings to its port. It can now guarantee the thousands of tourists that embark and disembark every day from our ships all the comfort and convenience of the most modern of facilities in one of the world’s most charming historical maritime stations,” said Vago.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by the Archbishop of Genoa, Angelo Bagnasco, the Mayor of Genoa, Marta Vincenzi, as well as representatives of the Port Authority and Maritime Station and members of the Provincial authorities.

Genoa has been the homeport of MSC Cruises since the start of its radical expansion programme in 2004. Next year the company will be deploying seven ships to the port during which 750 000 passengers will embark and disembark during a total of 157 ports of call.

MSC Cruises has also invested heavily in the city of Genoa. The MSC Group’s catering subsidiary MSC Italcatering’s has its headquarters in Genoa. The group is also building the new “Towers of San Benigno” office block that will not only bring all the different MSC departments active in the city under one roof but also modify the skyline of the city forever.