MSC Group is to mobilise its resources to help the Hurricane Dorian-hit islands of the Caribbean.
Efforts will focus on providing and delivering essential supplies, as well as semi-permanent prefabricated modular housing.
MSC geared ships will be made available for cargo relief services from the US to the Bahamas.
A high-level delegation comprised of US senior management and leadership of its philanthropic arm, the MSC Foundation, is on its way to Nassau for meetings with local officials, community leaders and key relief and recovery organisations.
They will identify the most timely and urgent additional relief needs that the group can support
Gianluigi Aponte, executive chairman and founder of MSC Group, said: "It is heart-breaking to see the impact and devastation that Hurricane Dorian has brought over the Bahamas and its population.
"The thoughts and prayers of my entire family are with the people of the Bahamas and their families and loved ones.”
He added: “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.
"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."
Preliminary talks have begun in earnest on how the group and all of its arms – from cargo shipping to cruising as well as its charitable foundation - can support, coordinate and own key logistic aspects of immediate and longer-term relief efforts and their funding.
