MSC Group chief executive Diego Aponte says the company sees maintaining cargo flow as a duty during what he called a "public health issue unprecedented in our lifetimes."
In an open letter, the boss of the Switzerland-based boxship and cruiseship company said the pandemic has triggered an unexpected shock for societies and economies.
"During this troubling period, my family and I feel closer than ever to our people across all our businesses and to our customers around the globe," he said.
He added that his company has a crucial role to play.
"As an essential cog for global trade it is imperative that we, together with our customers, keep the world moving despite the difficult operating conditions we are all experiencing," he said.
"Maintaining our usual close contact and close relationships with our customers is key to this. We consider it our duty to continue to deliver our usual high level of service, by linking the oceans, roads and railways of the world."
Storage help for shippers
It has launched a "suspension of transit" programme that uses some of the world’s leading transhipment hubs as advance storage posts to help shippers begin moving goods early in anticipation of a resumption in demand in Asia.
"In Europe in particular, we are helping shippers to use our short-sea shipping networks to avoid new land-border blockages created by governments’ essential action to curb the movement of people," Aponte said.
"I have personally witnessed the passion and commitment of our people who are working tirelessly to keep cargo flowing for our customers everywhere and my family and I are grateful to all of them."
Aponte said he began introducing travel restrictions for staff in January following the outbreak in China.
He added that robust health protection measures have been implemented and will remain in place as long as necessary.
The group has already converted a passenger ferry vessel into a floating hospital for victims of the virus.
"As a truly global diversified group of companies, with a stable financial position across our various businesses, we remain in a position of long-term strength," he said.
"While the situation is clearly becoming more intense in parts of Europe and the USA, we are seeing some glimmers of hope in the Far East."
As Chinese factories start to ramp up production and goods start to flow again, Aponte said China was an example that shows it is possible to recover from the coronavirus crisis.
"When the calm eventually comes after this storm, I hope we will collectively be stronger and wiser from this experience and better prepared to tackle life’s challenges," he said.
