The Carus Excellence Award 2025 Presented to Captain Gianluigi Aponte, Founder and Chairman of MSC Group
Since 2012, Carus has proudly presented the Carus Excellence Awards to honor exceptional individuals in the maritime sector—both Spanish and international. The annual ceremony is held in conjunction with ANAVE’s General Assembly, of which Carus is an Associate Member and Sponsor. The award celebrates excellence, leadership, and dedication in maritime transport, recognizing those who have made a significant and lasting impact on the industry.
Previous recipients of the Carus Excellence Award include:
· Mr. Juan Riva, President of the SUARDIAZ Group;
· Mr. Adolfo Utor, President of the BALEARIA Group;
· Mr. Rafael Rodríguez Valero, Spanish Merchant Marine General Director;
· Mr. Vicente Boluda, President of BOLUDA Corporación Marítima;
· Mr. Emanuele Grimaldi, CEO of the GRIMALDI Group;
· Mr. Luis Miguel Sousa, CEO of the SOUSA Group;
· Mr. Antonio Armas, President of Naviera ARMAS and TRASMEDITERRÁNEA;
· Mr. Mike Corrigan, CEO of INTERFERRY;
· Mr. Nils Erik Eklund — Member of the Board of Directors of VIKING LINE;
· Mr. Alejandro Aznar, President of the IBAIZABAL Group;
· Mr. Christophe Mathieu, CEO of BRITTANY FERRIES;
· Mr. Ettore Morace, CEO of TRASMED-GRIMALDI;
· Mr. Benito Núñez Quintanilla, Secretary General of Maritime Transport of the Spanish Ministry of Transport.
2025 Carus Excellence Award Ceremony
The 2025 General Assembly of ANAVE will take place on June 19 at the Wellington Hotel in Madrid. The event will include a cocktail reception and gala lunch, attended by Spanish shipowners, maritime and port authorities, and international maritime delegates. The Spanish Minister of Transport will deliver the keynote address at the luncheon. Carus is a proud co-sponsor of this distinguished annual gathering.
This year’s Carus Excellence Award will be presented to: Captain Gianluigi Aponte “In recognition of his excellence in achieving and consolidating major milestones for the global maritime sector.”
About Captain Gianluigi Aponte is the Founder and Group Chairman of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA. Born in Sorrento, Italy, he began his maritime career operating passenger ferries for his family’s business after graduating from the Italian Maritime Academy.
“Our staff are the lifeblood of the company, they have commitment, passion and loyalty, which, alongside unrivalled expertise makes MSC a shipping line of the people.” —Captain Gianluigi Aponte, Founder and Group Chairman of MSC.
After a brief career in banking, Captain Aponte returned to the shipping industry in 1970 to establish MSC with a single vessel. Guided by the principle, “Where the customer goes, MSC goes,” he has grown the company into one of the world’s largest container shipping lines. Throughout MSC’s expansion, Captain Aponte has remained committed to the company’s core family values and its people.
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