MSC Donates And Dedicates New 4,000 Square Foot Structure To Serve As School For Children In The British Virgin Islands

MIAMI, Nov. 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of MSC's global relief efforts in the Caribbean following the recent hurricanes, MSC, along with members of the government of the British Virgin Islands, welcomed and dedicated a new, 4,000 square-foot, pre-fabricated building that will serve as a school on the island of Virgin Gorda. With all 15 schools destroyed in the British Virgin Islands, this new school will allow the children of the island to focus on the future and continue their education. This donation from MSC is one of many ways the family-owned company is working to help support the Caribbean and its people through global resources.

"It is our responsibility as a family-owned company in the seafaring business for more than 300 years, to come to the aid of our family, friends and neighbors in dire times," said Richard Sasso, chairman of MSC Cruises USA. "This donation is one of many ways we are working to set the industry standard to help those who need it most and we're proud to utilize our global resources to assist as the Caribbean works to recover and rebuild."

Dona Regis, CEO, Tortola Pier Park adds, "We are honored to work with MSC to bring their donation of a much needed, prefabricated building to life for use as a school in the British Virgin Islands. This donation will allow our children to continue their education and focus on the future. It is with deep and heartfelt gratitude that we say thank you to MSC as we continue to rebuild a stronger island."

To date, MSC has tapped its global network of partners to ship goods, including water, food, medical supplies, building materials, mattresses and empty containers for shelter and safety use to the islands of Puerto Rico, St. Maarten, British Virgin Islands and Dominica. This effort includes shipment of materials through cargo containers provided by MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, ferries provided by GNV, MSC's ferry division, as well as external partners to deliver essentials to the islands. As one example, due to the catastrophic consequence of no power across many islands, MSC provided shipping services specifically to bring emergency lighting from Cyalume Technologies to the people who needed it most in Puerto Rico.

While most cruise ports in the region are now open for business, MSC continues to work with credible and connected partners to assist in restoring islands in the area, working to create a better and stronger Caribbean for the future.

Please see here for additional photos for use. For more information on MSC's relief efforts in the Caribbean, please visit http://bit.ly/MSCGroupHurricaneRelief.

ABOUT MSC CRUISES

MSC Cruises is the world's largest privately-owned cruise company and the number one cruise line in Europe and South America. The Company sails year-round in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean and offers seasonal itineraries in northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, Cuba and the French Antilles, South America, southern Africa, and Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sir Bani Yas. The MSC Cruises' experience embodies the elegant side of the Mediterranean to create unique and unforgettable emotions for guests, through discovery of the world's cultures, beauties and tastes.

Following a more than 6 billion USD investment endeavour between 2003 and 2013 for the construction of 12 modern cruise ships, MSC Cruises launched in 2014 an industry-unprecedented nearly 10 billion USD investment plan to build another 11 next-generation mega cruise ships, coming into service between 2017 and 2026. The Company is set to nearly triple its capacity by 2026. MSC Cruises vacations are sold across the globe through a significant distribution network in 67 countries. The Company employs over 17,000 people across the globe, both ashore and on board its ships. The MSC Cruises fleet comprises 13 modern ships: MSC Meraviglia, MSC Preziosa; MSC Divina; MSC Splendida; MSC Fantasia; MSC Magnifica; MSC Poesia; MSC Orchestra; MSC Musica; MSC Sinfonia; MSC Armonia; MSC Opera and MSC Lirica.

MSC Cruises feels a deep responsibility for the environments in which it operates and was the first company ever to earn the Bureau Veritas "7 Golden Pearls" for superior management and environmental stewardship. In 2009, MSC Cruises began an enduring partnership with UNICEF to support various programs assisting children worldwide. So far, more than $7.5 million has been collected in voluntary guest donations.

ABOUT MSC MEDITERRANEAN SHIPPING COMPANY

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. is a privately owned global shipping company founded in 1970 by Gianluigi Aponte. As one of the world's leading container shipping lines, MSC operates 480 offices across 155 countries worldwide with over 70,000 employees. With access to an integrated network of road, rail and sea transport resources which stretches worldwide, the company prides itself on delivering global service with local knowledge. MSC's shipping line sails on more than 200 trade routes, calling at over 500 ports.

SOURCE MSC Cruises USA