MSC Officially Acquires 50% Stake in Sinokor, Enters Tanker Market

On March 20, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), the world's largest container shipping line, officially acquired a 50% stake in South Korean shipping company Sinokor through its subsidiary SAS. This marks MSC's first foray into the tanker market. Since late 2025, Sinokor has been acquiring Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs) on a large scale, with industry insiders widely believing the funding came from MSC. According to statistics, tankers acquired by this system may reach 31 vessels, with approximately 20 more registered in Liberia. Various institutions predict that MSC could ultimately control a VLCC fleet of up to 150 ships, accounting for 25%-40% of the global market. This investment is seen as a strategic move by MSC to capitalize on the expected rise in tanker asset values in 2026, reflecting the company's ambition to expand beyond container shipping into integrated logistics assets, including multimodal transport, cruise lines, air cargo, and ports.