MSC Air Cargo and Neutral Air Partner (NAP) have formalised a strategic partnership that will connect the carrier more closely with NAP’s global community of vetted freight forwarders, consolidators and specialised logistics providers across more than 150 countries.
The agreement builds on an existing relationship between the two organisations and is intended to strengthen industry engagement, commercial cooperation and opportunities across regular airfreight, specialised cargo, charter and project-driven movements.
For NAP, the addition of MSC Air Cargo expands its airline partner portfolio and provides its independent air cargo community with closer access to the carrier’s growing freighter network, specialist products and multimodal capabilities.
Partnership Builds On OPENAP Engagement
The relationship developed further through MSC Air Cargo’s participation in OPENAP25 in Khao Lak, Thailand, where the carrier was a major sponsor.
Jannie Davel, Chief Executive Officer of MSC Air Cargo, and Alexander Padmore, Global Managing Director, joined NAP’s executive panel and conference programme, engaging with independent freight forwarders and consolidators on the challenges and opportunities facing the sector.
Davel said the relationship had developed through direct engagement with NAP members and a shared understanding of the importance of reliable industry partnerships.
“Formalizing this collaboration gives us an important platform to stay close to a highly experienced global forwarding community, better understand its evolving requirements and explore new opportunities together,” Davel said.
Christos Spyrou, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Neutral Air Partner, said MSC Air Cargo’s involvement in OPENAP25 had provided NAP members with direct access to the carrier’s leadership and a better understanding of its network, capabilities and approach to collaboration.
He said the experience had helped establish trust between the two organisations and provided the foundation for the formal partnership.
Expanding Access To Air Cargo Capacity
Under the agreement, MSC Air Cargo will engage with NAP’s network of vetted forwarding and logistics companies across more than 150 countries.
The collaboration is expected to create opportunities across conventional airfreight as well as specialised cargo, charter and project-related movements.
MSC Air Cargo’s network is complemented by road feeder services, extending its origin and destination coverage and providing additional routing flexibility. The carrier also offers charter solutions for project-based and time-critical cargo requirements.
The carrier currently offers specialised products covering perishables, pharmaceuticals, aerospace cargo and vehicles. Its portfolio includes Shipped Fresh, Shipped Pharma, Shipped Special – Aerospace and Shipped Special – Vehicles, with operations certified under IATA CEIV Fresh and IATA CEIV Pharma.
MSC Air Cargo Continues Network Expansion
Launched in late 2022 as the dedicated airfreight carrier of the MSC Group, MSC Air Cargo currently operates a fleet of seven Boeing 777 freighters.
According to the company, its scheduled and ad hoc services provide more than 50 connections across the Americas, Europe and Africa, with wider connectivity extending across the Americas, Asia Pacific and EMEA.
The carrier has continued to develop its freighter network and specialised cargo offering as it expands its role within the wider MSC logistics ecosystem.
For Neutral Air Partner, the partnership adds another major carrier to its global ecosystem and strengthens its ability to connect independent freight forwarders and cargo specialists with airline capacity and specialised transportation solutions.
Closer Cooperation With Forwarding Community
The agreement reflects growing cooperation between airlines and independent forwarding communities as carriers seek to expand their commercial reach while freight forwarders look for access to flexible capacity and specialised products.
For MSC Air Cargo, the NAP partnership provides a platform for closer engagement with freight and logistics companies operating across a broad international network.
For NAP members, the agreement provides a direct channel to a rapidly expanding freighter operator with scheduled, ad hoc and charter capabilities across major global markets.
The two organisations said the partnership will support continued dialogue and the development of new commercial opportunities as MSC Air Cargo expands its network and specialist cargo offering.
