Who is the Italian entrepreneur at the top 20% of global maritime trade?

5 MINUTE READ

30 APRIL 2024

Confidentiality is one of the strengths of Gianluigi Aponte, founder of MSC. Despite being disinclined to give interviews and his company keeping financial statements secret, in 2022, Aponte has emerged as arguably Italy's richest man, placing in the top ten globally. At the head of MSC, a global shipping powerhouse, he and his wife Rafaela Diamant have created a veritable empire.

The success of MSC is not only thanks to Aponte. Rafaela Diamant, his wife and co-founder, is recognized as the richest self-made woman in the world. Without her, MSC's current success would be unthinkable. Together, they own 100% of MSC, divided equally between them, with wealth that varies based on the company's performance and the market valuations of its listed rivals.

In 2022, MSC reported record revenue of $91 billion, with EBITDA of $45 billion, bringing the value of Aponte and his wife's holdings to $270 billion. However, 2023 saw an overall 75% decline in EBITDA at key competing companies, and as a result, the Apontes' estimated wealth fell to around $40 billion, according to Bloomberg valuations.

The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) employs over 200,000 people and owns MSC Crociere, the third largest cruise company in the world, as well as a 50% stake in Italo and other businesses. The MSC group, which has its headquarters in Geneva, also includes TIL, which manages port terminals, and MEDLOG, a leader in road transport. Diego and Alexa Aponte, the couple's children, hold the positions of President and CFO respectively.

When we talk about MSC, we often think of cruises. In fact, it is a major global shipping company, responsible for a fifth of international shipping. From a single second-hand vessel purchased in 1970, MSC has grown to own a fleet of 800 large container ships and operate in 155 countries, managing the transport of more than 22 million containers per year.