This photograph is one of 28 in a collection gifted by Prince Hussain Aga Khan and Focused on Nature to the MSC Foundation for the Marine Encounters exhibition on Explora II.
OUR VISION IS TO RESTORE THE CRITICAL BALANCE BETWEEN PEOPLE AND NATURE WITHIN A GENERATION
The MSC Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the MSC Group established in 2018 to implement the Group’s marine conservation, humanitarian, and sustainable development commitments worldwide.
Leveraging MSC’s global reach and unique knowledge of the sea, we work to protect and nurture our blue planet, its people and our shared heritage.
The MSC Foundation is family-led and reflects the vision and values of its founders.
The MSC Foundation’s concrete actions to care for people and planet express the values at the heart of our family.
Through committed partnerships, we are driving transformative change to build a more sustainable and compassionate world for future generations.
“
BUILDING FOUNDATIONS FOR TRANSFORMATIVE CHANGE
As a family-owned seafaring company, we have a deeply-felt commitment to the wellbeing of the oceans and our future generations.
We therefore take real pride in the MSC Foundation’s work for our blue planet and its people, which continued to make solid progress in pursuit of its mission throughout 2024.
While our core initiatives were, as always, firmly focused on immediate concrete action, 2024 was also a year that built for future impact.
Sustaining this, we increased the funding for programmes and initiatives by 85% while simultaneously strengthening our partnership-driven approach to achieving positive change at scale.
From assisting Mercy Ships to build a new hospital ship that will double its capacity by 2029, to supporting marine science research and advancing the construction of our Marine Conservation Center, we have been methodically laying the foundations for lasting, transformative change.
The Foundation likewise maintained its active focus on international development and emergency humanitarian assistance, putting our global capabilities at the service of the world’s most vulnerable communities.
This saw us joining forces with key United Nations partners like UNICEF and UNHCR, while simultaneously staying attuned to the support needs of local communities, authorities, institutions and NGOs.
As you read through this report and learn in detail what our partnerships, programmes and initiatives achieved this year, you will also see what they have prepared for the future.
Our plans are ambitious but rigorously achievable and we shall achieve them. On that you have my word and my family’s commitment. We will continue to make every effort to leverage our knowledge of the sea, global reach and strong networks to foster a more sustainable and inclusive future together.
Captain GIANLUIGI APONTE Chair of the Board
In 2024, the MSC Foundation significantly expanded its marine conservation and ocean literacy programmes and initiatives, preparing the ground for an important step change in the very near future.
From supporting innovative research to building our Marine Conservation Center and restoring seagrass habitats, we advanced science-driven solutions to safeguard our oceans and preserve marine ecosystems.
A YEAR OF INTENSIFYING COMMITMENT TO MARINE CONSERVATION
Climate change continued to degrade our planet’s biodiversity in 2024. Rising sea temperatures and environmental stressors heavily impacted coral reef ecosystems, triggering a fourth global mass bleaching event.
But our work in recent years meant the MSC Foundation was prepared. Not only did all the coral fragments in our nursery survive, but their number was increased five-fold in the year.
We continued to scale up our Super Coral Reefs Programme, joining forces with three new Bahamian partners and nearing completion of our Marine Conservation Center at Ocean Cay. This modern campus will provide innovative facilities for coral reef restoration and research, scientific collaboration and public information and engagement.
Our support for global research led by the International Union for Conservation of Nature contributed vital information on the status of coral to help update its Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM. This now reports that 44% of reef-building coral species globally are at risk of extinction.
I’m particularly honoured that Dr Sylvia Earle and her organisation Mission Blue have partnered with us to protect vital marine habitats. Together, we have launched a seagrass restoration programme in Spain and strengthened our ocean literacy activities across the MSC Group Cruise Division fleet.
Conservation education remained a priority, with programmes supporting environmental awareness in schools and university studies in marine science.
I extend my sincere thanks to everyone who made the exceptional achievements of this past year possible - the Foundation team, donors, and supporters. Your dedication has strengthened our ability to create meaningful impact and continue to fulfil our mission.
The health of our oceans is essential to our planet’s future. Only through collective effort can these vital ecosystems flourish.
Please join us in conserving marine ecosystems and inspiring future generations.
Together, we can make a difference.
PIERFRANCESCO VAGO Chair of the Executive Committee
Our impact is powered by close partnership, from translating scientific knowledge into meaningful conservation actions, to building a new hospital ship that will dramatically expand access to life-saving surgical care for the most vulnerable.
Together, we are restoring ecosystems, engaging with communities, and harnessing the power of leading specialists to secure a sustainable future for planet and people. “ “
ADVANCING
SCIENCE AND BUILDING PATHWAYS FOR PROGRESS
As 2024 unfolded, it became clear we were facing the planet’s warmest year on record, with severe challenges for the environment and affected populations worldwide.
Increasing our funding allocations by 85% and with dedicated partners, we achieved significant impact through 14 programmes, 27 initiatives and 13 humanitarian operations, touching the lives of over 136,000 people across five continents in the year.
Our partnership with Mercy Ships embarked on a new chapter with the MSC Group and MSC Foundation making a significant donation to kick-start the construction of its new state-of-the-art hospital ship. When completed in 2029, Atlantic Mercy will double surgical care and medical training capacity, bringing hope and healing to many thousands more people for years to come.
Marking 14 years of partnership with UNICEF, we celebrated passing the $14 million donations mark as we entered our 15th year together.
Steadily expanding our marine conservation efforts at Ocean Cay in the year, we increased the number of coral fragments grown in our nurseries almost fivefold, completed Phase 1 of our Marine Conservation Center and strengthened our partnerships with the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute, the University of The Bahamas, and the Perry Institute for Marine Science.
Our support for scientific research culminated in the update of 892 coral species on the IUCN Red List of Endangered SpeciesTM. This crucial effort revealed that 44% of warm-water coral reefs are now at risk
In Italy, we launched the campaign “Il Mare a Scuola” with Marevivo. Pressing for the inclusion of marine conservation in school curricula, we engaged with 1,000 students, institutional leaders and the media in four port cities.
Our new programme with Mission Blue planted 15,500 Posidonia oceanica to restore seagrass beds around Formentera island and launched the “The O.M. - Ocean Messenger” onboard edutainment activity.
Throughout the year, we advanced our work to inspire collective action, engaging with cruise guests at 6 MSC Foundation Centres and the new Foundation Area on Explora II where we unveiled the Marine Encounters exhibition of spectacular underwater photos by Prince Hussain Aga Khan.
Our vision for a healthier planet and thriving communities continued, as always, to drive us forward, empowered by your support.
The Foundation is immensely grateful for every contribution, whether volunteering time and expertise, campaigning or donating. Your commitment fuels our work and inspires everything we do
Thank you
DANIELA PICCO Executive Director
54 programmes and initiatives in 40 countries
5 new partnerships of which 4 in marine conservation
11 emergencies
13 relief & recovery operations
More than 136,000 people reached around the world
AT A GLANCE
CHF 7,377,000 allocated to programmes, initiatives & emergencies (+85% vs 2023)
Significant donation to Mercy Ships for a new hospital ship of donations allocated directly to programmes and initiatives
100%
14th year of partnership with UNICEF, $14 million in cumulative contributions
“Il Mare a Scuola” awareness campaign for marine conservation education
1 new MSC Foundation Area on Explora II
2024 MILESTONES
Jan
Feb
Mar
OCEAN CAY CORAL REEFS
MSC Foundation invests in its first research vessel for coral restoration.
Apr
14TH YEAR WITH UNICEF
Celebrating continuous partnership and $14m in cumulative donations.
May
GUARDIAN DOLPHINS
Marevivo starts new year of inspiring young minds, reaching 9,000 school children since 2015.
FONDATION DES HUG
New 5-year partnership for transformative cancer research and patient care in Switzerland.
Jun
DEYON AND DON STEPHENS
Founders of Mercy Ships hosted in Geneva for an inspirational talk with MSC employees.
OCEAN PHILANTHROPY
MSC Foundation co-hosts a panel at Monaco Ocean Week with IUCN.
NEW HOSPITAL SHIP
Significant donation to Mercy Ships to jumpstart constructing a new vessel in service by 2029.
CYCLONE IN MOZAMBIQUE
Inauguration of reconstructed Pomene and Mushungo schools for 380 children.
MISSION BLUE
New 3-year partnership to plant 35,000+ seagrass plants in Spain and ocean literacy programme for cruise guests.
FLOODS IN BRAZIL
Donation of 5 pulmonary ventilators to Hospita Nossa Senhora da Conceicao
CORAL REEF CONSERVATION
Marine Conservation Center construction begins to create a science and restoration hub in The Bahamas.
PANGAEA X IN CÔTE D’IVOIRE
With AGL, 30+ environmental innovators compete to solve local challenges.
TORNADO IN SOUTH AFRICA
Donation to Hindasa Foundation for housing reconstruction benefitting 300+ families.
Jul
Aug
Sep
TREE PLANTING
Partnership with Municipality of Milan to plant 200 trees after the July 2023 hailstorm.
JUNIOR AMBASSADORS
Annual programme closes with 740 students equipped to be sustainable development advocates in NYC.
Oct
“IL MARE A SCUOLA” CAMPAIGN
Marevivo engages 1,000 Italian students and key institutions, advocating for marine conservation education.
EXPERTS MEET FOR CORAL REEFS 20 Bahamian and international experts join us to share scientific experience to inform our coral restoration at Ocean Cay.
OCEAN CAY CORAL REEFS
Coral fragments thrive in our nursery, growing from 94 to 546, showing promising signs of thermal resilience.
EMERGENCIES IN AFRICA
New agreement for the transportation of UNHCR relief aid in 50 containers for emergencies.
Nov
Dec
NEW MSC FOUNDATION AREA opens on board Explora II, marking the Foundation’s 7th presence across the fleet.
MARINE ENCOUNTERS EXHIBIT
28 limited-edition photographs unveiled by Prince Hussain Aga Khan on Explora II.
SOLAR REVAMPING IN ITALY
Solar power fuels Dynamo Camp for kids and teens thanks to our collaboration with ERG.
892 REEF-BUILDING CORALS assessed to update the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM, funded by MSC Foundation.
KNIGHT OF THE SEA Pierfrancesco Vago honoured by Marevivo for his dedication to marine conservation.
FESTIVE SMILES INITIATIVE With MSC employees in Switzerland, Italy, and the UK, we donated 736 gifts for families in need.
NEW ANTHEM FOR THE SEA
1,000 children, relatives and cruise guests gather for the launch of the new song “Everyone Loves the Sea”.
SHIPS OF HOPE IN AFRICA
5,027 patients receive transformative surgical care, 923 professionals are trained by year-end.
OUR FOUNDATION
For generations, our family has been bound to the sea, shaping a legacy of resilience, innovation, and responsibility. With a long-term vision, the Foundation extends this heritage into philanthropy — complementary yet independent — mobilising expertise and partnerships to safeguard our oceans, uplift communities, and contribute a sustainable future.
ALEXA APONTE VAGO MSC Foundation Board
A COMMITMENT ROOTED IN FAMILY AND SEAFARING HERITAGE
More than an organisation, we are a family-driven foundation, deeply connected to our seafaring heritage. For generations, the MSC Group has been dedicated to maritime excellence, building not just a business, but a global community bonded by the sea. This heritage brings with it a deep respect for the ocean, a commitment to responsibility, and, as a family, a long-term vision that guides everything we do.
Our foundation benefits from this enduring legacy, which extends to our partners, supporters and volunteers. By fostering a sense of community, we channel our combined strengths into building a better tomorrow — one where unity, generosity, and dedication define our approach to global challenges.
STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS FOR LASTING IMPACT
As a grantmaking and implementing foundation, collaboration is at the core of everything we do. We work with carefully selected institutional, non-profit, and research partners to support evidence-based solutions that address urgent social and environmental challenges. From advancing scientific research and data collection to improving education and healthcare access, our partnerships focus on long-term impact and change.
HARNESSING GLOBAL REACH AND EXPERTISE FOR MAXIMUM CHANGE
Our foundation is uniquely positioned to make a difference, leveraging the MSC Group’s global network and maritime expertise to deliver rapid and effective solutions.
In times of crisis, we mobilise MSC logistical capabilities to support emergency relief through in-kind donations of containers, free ocean shipping, inland logistics, ensuring aid reaches those who need it most.
We also work with MSC offices worldwide to support local initiatives across our four focus areas, strengthening local efforts to make a difference for vulnerable communities.
At the heart of our foundation is a powerful story — one of people. It is driven by those we support, from restoring ecosystems to transforming lives. It is equally shaped by those who make it possible: our dedicated staff, trusted partners, MSC Group supporters and contributors, cruise guests, generous donors, and passionate volunteers.
This collective effort enables us to deliver meaningful change — championing marine conservation, empowering communities’ sustainable development, and responding to humanitarian crises worldwide. Our strength lies in our unique ability and singular determination to connect people, resources, and expertise to create lasting impact.
AMPLIFYING VOICES TO INSPIRE ACTION
Raising awareness and inspiring collective action are fundamental to our mission. We engage in public events and conferences, to amplify our partners’ and our own messages related to the ocean, development and humanitarian efforts. By informing and motivating people, we enable them to become active participants in the solutions shaping our shared future.
Through MSC Foundation Centres and youth edutainment programmes on board ships of the MSC Group’s Cruise Division, we bring knowledge and engagement directly to millions of travellers passionate about the ocean.
OUR PROGRAMMES AND INITIATIVES
Environmental Conservation
Community Support
In 2024, our funding, development and monitoring of programmes reached a new level of maturity, optimising effectiveness and reaching 136,180 people across our four focus areas: environmental conservation, community support, education and emergency relief.
Our approach to marine conservation evolved into a fully integrated model, combining research, evidence-based restoration, marine science education, and public awarenessraising. Our portfolio spans our flagship coral restoration programme in The Bahamas, mangrove restoration and scientific research with the Qatar Foundation and its Earthna Center, and IUCN-led coral assessments updating the Red List of Threatened Species™. Our new threeyear partnership with Mission Blue is strengthening seagrass restoration in Spain and ocean literacy activities for guests on board Explora Journeys and MSC Cruises ships.
We catalysed action between partners to engage public bodies, civil society, NGOs, academia and the private sector to advance environmental education. Partnering with Marevivo, we supported Il Mare a Scuola - a 10day, four-city campaign rallying public support for ocean education in Italian schools. We also linked the Horn Foundation with Africa Global Logistics and its Yiri innovation centre, expanding the Pangaea X incubation programme to young environmental entrepreneurs in Côte d’Ivoire.
As part of our commitment to community support, we made significant investments in the future of healthcare. We helped jump-start the construction of a new Mercy Ships vessel that will double surgical care in Africa by 2029. We also made a fi ve-year commitment in Switzerland to advancing precision oncology therapies with the Foundation of Geneva University Hospitals.
In emergency relief, we built on past collaboration with UNHCR in two mega emergencies to develop an agreement for fl exible, in-kind logistical support to get relief aid to fl ood-affected communities in Africa. We responded to new emergencies, like Typhoon Yagi in Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and continued supporting the recovery of Ukrainian, Turkish and Syrian people still affected by the war and earthquake in their countries.
With MSC offices worldwide, we also donated containers, ocean transport, inland logistics, and co-funding to strengthen local initiatives aligned with the foundation’s mission, increasing our global reach and local impacts where needed.
We believe that real change happens when we work together–across disciplines, communities, and borders to facilitate groundbreaking and adaptable solutions to the challenges faced by our blue planet and its people.
MARINA ANSELME Secretary General
OCEAN LITERACY
> Worldwide
SEAGRASS RESTORATION
> Spain
SUPER CORAL REEFS
> The Bahamas
> Worldwide
CORAL BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT
> Qatar
MANGROVE RESTORATION
CORAL BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT
> Madagascar
> Kenya
> Tanzania
> Comoros
> Mozambique
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
With our unique global shipping heritage, the MSC Foundation is keenly aware of the increasing fragility of our planet’s ecosystems. We are committed to supporting programmes and initiatives that protect and restore our blue planet’s biodiversity, ecological functionality and ecosystem resilience.
TAKING ACTION FOR CORAL
OCEAN CAY
The Foundation established the Super Coral Reefs Programme to restore the reefs around the island of Ocean Cay in 2019.
When MSC Cruises took responsibility for developing Ocean Cay in The Bahamas in 2015, it suffered from decades of ecologically disruptive industrial activity. Collaborating with the government and leading scientists, MSC Cruises initiated an ambitious Marine Restoration Programme within the 64 square miles of surrounding marine waters and ecosystems.
Faced with an assessment showing that over half of the coral had perished, the MSC Foundation committed to working with partners on science-based restoration solutions, supporting marine science studies and raising public awareness of the urgent need to preserve coral reefs. Its Marine Conservation Center will serve a hub for these activities.
PROF DAVID SMITH Chief Scientific Advisor MSC Foundation Advisory Board
I’m excited about our new partnerships with leading Bahamian universities and the strong international network we built at our experts’ workshop. With clear strategic direction and aligned efforts, we’ve laid a solid foundation for collaboration in restoration, science, capacity-building, and public awareness. I look forward to scaling up our impact with the opening of the Marine Conservation Center in 2025.
ENVIRONMENTAL
SUPER CORAL REEFS PROGRAMME
CHALLENGES
Coral reefs cover less than 0.2% of the planet’s seafloor but host 25% of marine biodiversity . Up to one billion people benefit directly or indirectly from coral reefs.
The Bahamas is home to one third of all coral reefs in the Caribbean region, and the country’s coral reef systems are under immediate threat.
The vast majority of reefs worldwide are threatened by ocean heat waves, causing widespread coral bleaching and killing off entire reef ecosystems. This alarming figure is predicted to climb to 90% by 2030
The 2024 IUCN global coral assessment and IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM indicate 40% of the Atlantic Ocean species studied in Atlantic Ocean are vulnerable or worse, with critically endangered Elkhorn coral as one of the most threatened
INITIATIVES
The Super Coral Reefs Programme aims to restore threatened coral species and build reef resilience and biodiversity around Ocean Cay. In doing so the programme seeks to pioneer techniques to identify, propagate and outplant genotypes that are especially resistant to global heating to enhance both genetic diversity and ecosystem resilience.
We are establishing a Marine Conservation at Ocean Cay to support this programme and facilitate applied graduate research in collaboration with our partners. This centre will serve as a hub for scientific and conservation efforts, focusing on coral physiology, restoration and ecosystem recovery. It will also play a vital role in raising awareness about the challenges facing coral reefs and showcasing ongoing initiatives to secure their future for the millions of visitors to Ocean Cay.
Healthy coral reefs are vital for the marine environment and economy of The Bahamas. Today, a multitude of threats endanger our coral ecosystems. University of The Bahamas is thrilled to partner with the MSC Foundation to build resilience for coral species in The Bahamas and around the world. MSC’s generous assistance in developing UB’s laboratory will allow state-of-the-art, in-country coral genetics research at a critical time in our fight to protect our vulnerable marine environment. t, esearch e our our ne
KRISTEN WELSH UNWALA, PH.D., P.H.
Executive Director
Small Island Sustainability Research Complex University of The Bahamas
At the Biodiversity COP16 in Cali, Colombia, the Special Emergency Session on Coral Reefs called attention to the unprecedented bleaching event affecting 77% of reefs globally and the urgent need to restore and protect coral reefs. In alignment with this call to action and the Global Biodiversity Framework, the MSC Foundation’s Super Coral Reefs Programme and its support for the Global Coral Assessment and update of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ are shining examples of vital contributions to strengthening marine ecosystem resilience.
Board
TOTAL RESULTS (2019 - 2024)
Phase 1 Construction of Marine Conservation Center complete
2024 RESULTS
Phase 1 Construction of Marine Conservation Center complete, with lab, tech room, water and electrical system
1 Coral experts workshop
452 new coral fragments in the nursery ready for outplanting
3 new partners: University of The Bahamas, BAMSI, PIMS
3 new graduate interns with 3 research studies in progress
1 interactive game (Scavenger Hunt) developed by university graduate inters for public awareness-raising
2 Coral experts’ workshops
546 new coral fragments in the Nursery, 100% survival of 2023 marine heatwave
4 University partners
11 graduate interns completed the program, 8 research studies
9 infographics, 1 “Super Coral Discovery Kit”, 1 interactive game for on board activities
Ocean Cay designated as Hope Spot by Mission Blue
“#SuperCoralPlay” campaign with the 2020 Miami Super Bowl – 352m media impressions, 18m engagements
CARL GUSTAF LUNDIN MSC Foundation Advisory
OUR EXPERT PARTNERS AND NETWORK
CORAL EXPERTS WORKSHOP
From 6-9 October 2024, the MSC Foundation hosted a workshop with 20 Super Coral Reefs Programme partners and international experts to exchange knowledge on coral science, restoration methods, marine education, and public awareness, informing the programme strategy.
The experts, a diverse group of marine biologists, conservationists and policymakers, delved into the latest scientific research and collaborative strategies to protect and restore coral ecosystems vital to Ocean Cay’s marine biodiversity and coastal communities.
Panel discussion in Nassau. Panellists and attendees (left to right): Rick Sasso, Dr Lester Gittens, Dr Rhianna Neely-Murphy, Daniela Picco, Dr Kristen Welsh Unwala, Marina Anselme, Dr Frederick Arnett, Matthew McKinnon.
2024 was a breakthrough year for our programme, showcasing significant growth in our offshore coral nursery validating the selection and scientific methods we have developed and tested over two years. With plans now set to work more closely with our Bahamian and international partners on outplanting, together we will not only enhance the ecological stability of the natural reefs within the Ocean Cay marine lease area but deliver marine science internships to students. Our vision for Ocean Cay and our Marine Conservation Center as a hub of research collaboration and learning in The Bahamas is in sight, and we are poised to drive impactful conservation initiatives.
DR OWEN O’SHEA
Marine Conservation Center Manager
MSC Foundation
OUTCOMES
This workshop took place as we are starting an exciting new chapter in the advancement of marine conservation and sustainable coral research in The Bahamas. This partnership will create opportunities for students and faculty to engage in ground-breaking research with global scientists, conservation efforts, environmental stewardship.
Internships and outreach experiences that create unique hands-on learning experiences will contribute not only to the academic world but build capacity for the preservation of our marine ecosystems.
We look forward to making a positive impact on our environment, our blue economy and future generations. We look f a positi environ econo gener
DR RAVEENIA ROBERTS-HANNA President
The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute
The expert workshop helped shape the strategic directions of our programme in The Bahamas, with key outcomes including:
• Setting up a Scientific Advisory Group
• Developing a comprehensive Scientific and Restoration Strategy
• Creating a strong network of partnerships in science and education with Bahamian and international partners
• Strengthening research and education capacities in The Bahamas through student internships, exchanges, and improved national lab capabilities
In addition, the Foundation committed to raising public awareness of conservation at Ocean Cay through strategic engagement with tourism stakeholders and public outreach initiatives. Steps were identified to proactively support the designation of a marine protected area alongside key ministries, conservation stakeholders, and local communities.
OUR GRADUATE STUDENT INTERNS
KYLE MOSS
Graduate Intern University of Miami Florida, USA
OSS ate Intern sity of Miami USA
Growing up in The Bahamas, the ocean quickly became my place of refuge. A place where peace is found within the tranquil sounds of the waves gracing the shore. Working with the MSC Foundation and the University of Miami, we are creating strategies to address the concerns with high mortality that arise with the early stages of coral outplanting. This collaborative study will improve the viability of successful coral survivorship, increase biodiversity and create educational opportunities for the future of marine conservation.
Grow beca peac the w MSC we a conc early This viab incre oppo cons
My research focuses on the effectiveness of coral growth-enhancing supplements in accelerating recovery and improving overall coral health following fragmentation. This experiment evaluates the size, growth rate, and zooxanthellae abundance in two key reef-building species, Siderastrea siderea and Orbicella faveolata
In October, I had the invaluable opportunity to participate in the MSC Foundation’s expert workshop, which significantly enriched my studies. Engaging with leading specialists and visiting the site and future plans for the Marine Conservation Center offered a deep dive into innovative scientific approaches, insights on how supplements can enhance coral growth both in onshore nurseries and after outplanting, and real-world challenges in coral restoration.
CAILEY DORMAN
Graduate Intern
AUSTIN BLAKESLEE
Graduate Intern
Nova Southeastern University
Florida, USA
Nova Southeastern University
Florida, USA
ova Southeastern orida, USA
My research focuses on using predator exclusion devices to enhance coral outplant success. Predation by corallivorous fish is a significant challenge in coral restoration, often leading to high mortality of newly outplanted coral fragments. This project examines how short-term predator exclusion can improve survival rates and reduce dislodgement of two key Caribbean reef-building species, Siderastrea siderea and Orbicella faveolata Working with the MSC Foundation allows me to test innovative exclusion designs that minimise predation, sedimentation, and biofouling, contributing to more effective and scalable coral restoration strategies.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
IN FOCUS OCEAN CAY CORAL REEFS
OUR JOURNEY AND COMMITMENT TO MARINE SCIENCE AND RESTORATION
In 2015, MSC flipped the script by investing in leasing the island of Ocean Cay: a degraded industrial site 20 miles south of Bimini, with an ambitious vision to create an ecologically rich, vibrant and flourishing environment for its cruise guests.
With a strong focus on preserving this very special place, MSC Cruises began to transform the island in 2016. In 2018, following the identification and relocation of over 400 corals, the newly established MSC Foundation became an autonomous pillar of the
MSC Group’s vision, independently driving the restoration of coral reefs around Ocean Cay.
This journey started with a baseline ecological assessment with a team of interdisciplinary scientists led by the Perry Institute for Marine Science and the Centre for Ocean Research and Education, which provided critical knowledge on the marine ecosystems of Ocean Cay and the species supported by them – critical information for the formation of effective conservation management strategies to secure its future.
MSC Foundation underwater coral nursery at Ocean Cay, seen from above.
In 2019, a workshop was held in Bimini and attended by a range of stakeholders and policymakers from The Bahamas, the USA and Europe to elucidate areas for conservation priority as the island began its development and restoration.
One of the main outcomes of this meeting was to invest in a coral restoration programme; to rebuild the local reefs with coral species that science tells us are more resistant to future environmental conditions, and leading the industry in not only being environmentally conscious, but also by demonstrating how we can partner to drive a great future for critical marine ecosystems under threat.
Today, we are incredibly proud of our Super Coral Reefs restoration programme that has seen, in 2024, several hundred new coral colonies grown in an offshore in-situ nursery, the majority of which are classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM
With a state-of-the-art Marine Conservation Center set to open in April 2025, strong partnerships with universities in Florida and The Bahamas, and active coral outplanting efforts, the MSC Foundation exemplifies the vital role of philanthropy in ocean protection — working alongside institutional, community, scientific, and private sector stakeholders to drive meaningful impact.
by DR OWEN O’SHEA Marine Conservation Center Manager MSC Foundation
Approximate rendering of the Marine Conservation Center site on Ocean Cay.
MARINE STEWARDSHIP WITH A LEGEND
Mission Blue is a non-governmental organisation uniting a global coalition to inspire a surge in public awareness, access, and support for a worldwide network of Hope Spots – special places that are critical to the health of the ocean.
Led by the legendary oceanographer Dr Sylvia Earle, Mission Blue drives action to explore and protect the ocean, conducts communication campaigns to spotlight Hope Spots on a global stage, and supports oceanic expeditions that highlight these vital ecosystems and foster their protection.
The MSC Foundation and Mission Blue launched a three-year partnership. In Spain, we are supporting seagrass restoration with Asociación Vellmari around the island of Formentera.
Worldwide, we are developing an ocean literacy programme for cruise guests of MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys.
DR SYLVIA EARLE President and Chairperson Mission Blue
The ocean gives us life, regulates our climate, provides much of the oxygen we breathe, and connects us all. Together, we can be its voice, its defender, and its champion. With the generosity of supporters like MSC Foundation, we’re building a future where the ocean thrives, where marine life flourishes, and where humanity truly values the blue heart of the planet.
SEAGRASS RESTORATION AND OCEAN LITERACY
CHALLENGES
Seagrasses cover only 0.1% of the ocean floor but they are highly efficient carbon sinks and store up to 10% of the world’s oceanic carbon.
Seagrass meadows are biodiversity hotspots. One acre of seagrass may be home to 50 million invertebrates and 40,000 fish.
7% of seagrass is being lost worldwide annually. This is equivalent to a football field of seagrass lost every 30 minutes.
Ocean literacy is a critical element of marine conservation. Increasing public awareness about the ocean encourages all citizens and stakeholders to have a more responsible and informed behaviour towards it and its resources.
INITIATIVES
Educate, engage, and empower stakeholders, including MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys guests and MSC Group employees, to take action towards protecting and conserving vital marine ecosystems.
Replant seagrass meadows in marine ecosystems around the island of Formentera in Spain.
OCEAN CONSERVATION
Partnering with Spanish NGO Asociación Vellmari for the conservation component of this Mission Blue programme, efforts to restore seagrass meadows in Formentera surpassed expectations.
In the first year, we succeeded in planting 15,500 seagrass shoots, contributing to the goal of 38,000 by 2027.
2024 RESULTS
SEAGRASS AROUND FORMENTERA
6.500 Shoots collected from waters for planting
15,500 Posidonia plants planted
600 m² surface restored
OCEAN LITERACY
Our efforts to educate and empower Explora Journeys and MSC Cruises guests to become ocean advocates yielded impactful outcomes in its first year.
The O.M. - Ocean Messenger, an interactive game for teens and the first phase of the Ocean Literacy Programme for adults were developed collaboratively with Hope Spot Champions.
OCEAN LITERACY
1 Educational game for Explora Journeys and MSC Cruises , involving over 14,000 teenagers.
Ocean literacy programme implemented on Explora Journeys vessels with Mission Blue leading 1 “Luminary” speaker talk.
ENVIRONMENTAL
CORAL SCIENCE FOR CONSERVATION
WORLDWIDE
FOCUS AREAS
Environmental Conservation
PROGRAMME
Coral Biodiversity Assessment
CORDIO East Africa Arizona State University
2024
2023
2026
KENYA TANZANIA COMOROS MADAGASCAR MOZAMBIQUE
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a membership Union of government and civil society organisations. It is the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network and the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.
The MSC Foundation and the IUCN’s three-year partnership aims to analyse and publish data on the health and risks of corals as a species and coral reefs as an ecosystem, applying the IUCN global standards of the Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM and the Red List of Ecosystems.
In 2024, the IUCN completed a global assessment of coral species and incorporated the results to its global database of at-risk species.
This global coral assessment vividly illustrates the severe impacts of our rapidly changing climate on life on Earth and drives home the severity of the consequences.
Healthy ecosystems like coral reefs are essential for human livelihoodsproviding food, stabilising coastlines, and storing carbon.
The protection of our biodiversity is not only vital for our well-being but crucial for our survival.
The collaboration between IUCN, Arizona State University, CORDIO East Africa, and the MSC Foundation is more vital than ever.
The collaboration be Arizona Sta CORDIO E more vit
DR GRETHEL AGUILAR IUCN Director General
CORAL BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT
CHALLENGES
Coral reefs face significant existential threats from a combination of human activities, natural events like storms, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and longterm global changes such as rising sea temperatures and CO2 levels.
Coral stakeholders worldwide need updated high-quality data on coral species and ecosystems to guide their actions to address the most pressing challenges and threats facing coral reefs. The first global assessment of reefbuilding corals done in 2008 for the Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM was outdated.
Limited public awareness of the IUCN Red List reduces attention to threatened species, hindering conservation efforts and policy support.
INITIATIVES
A total reassessment of the status and extinction risks of the world’s coral species was undertaken to update the 2008 global assessment of reef-building corals. This complex exercise involved over 100 coral experts from academic institutions, government, and non-profit organisations in 30 countries assessing data for an update of the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM
Global-level stakeholder engagement on applying the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems (incl. West Indian Ocean, Eastern Tropical Pacific, The Arabian/Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman, East Asia, Brazil, Caribbean) and support for National Coral Ecosystem Assessments in the Western Indian Ocean, focusing on Kenya, Tanzania, Comoros, Madagascar and Mozambique.
Support for IUCN in developing and launching its year-long 60th anniversary Red List campaign, culminating at the October 2025 World Conservation Congress.
The global assessment of coral species was completed this year culminating in the update of all 892 warm-water reef-building coral species in the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM The findings — that 44% are threatened with extinction, 76% of which are either endangered or critically endangered — were discussed at the launch event held at the COP29 UN climate conference in November.
The IUCN Red List of Ecosystems assesses ecosystem health, risks, and conservation priorities. In the Indian Ocean, the IUCN provided training and analytical support to authorities and stakeholders for national coral reef assessments. In Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique, progress was made toward validating data. Engagement meetings were held in December in Comoros and Madagascar, with training and engagement piloted in the Eastern Tropical Pacific and Arabian/Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman, East Asia and other coral reef regions around the world.
EXPERT PANEL ON OCEAN PHILANTHROPY AT MONACO OCEAN WEEK
On 19 March, IUCN, Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, Velux Foundation, MERI Foundation, and MSC Foundation hosted the panel Ocean Philanthropy: Challenges and Solutions at Monaco Ocean Week, a global gathering of marine experts and NGOs. Prince Albert II highlighted philanthropy’s role in driving innovation and bridging the ocean conservation funding gap.
2024 RESULTS
1 Global assessment updating the status of 892 coral species
IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM Update published, 1 launch event at COP29 UN climate change conference
2 National coral reef assessments done in Kenya and Tanzania
1 expert panel discussion at Monaco Ocean Week
60th-anniversary social media campaign featuring MSC leadership, globally with 1.5M impressions gained
TOTAL RESULTS (2023 - 2024)
IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM updated with the status of 892 warm-water reef-building coral species
1 Red List launch event at COP29 UN climate change conference
2 National coral reef assessments done In Kenya and Tanzania
2 expert panel discussions jointly organised with IUCN at Monaco Ocean Week
Red List of Ecosystems workshops (left to right) at the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network meeting (Abu Dhabi, September 2024) and the International Marine Conservation Congress (Cape Town, October 2024).
SCIENCE-BASED RESTORATION
The Qatar Foundation is a non-profit organisation focused on education, research and community development. Its Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future is a policy research and advocacy center promoting a coordinated approach to environmental, social, economic sustainability, and future prosperity.
Together with Qatar’s Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, and Qatar University, the programme seeks to demonstrate the importance of mangroves in conserving and restoring Qatar’s coastal environment.
It also aims to prove the concept of “building with nature” as an effective response to sealevel rise, pioneering a scalable approach that leverages the power of conserving, restoring, and nurturing three symbiotic coastal ecosystems – mangrove forests, seagrass, and coral.
Mangroves are the unsung heroes of coastal ecosystems, offering protection, supporting biodiversity, and combating climate change.
The Mangrove Restoration Project is not just about planting trees — it’s about securing a resilient future for our coastlines.
We are privileged to lead this crucial work, collaborating with dedicated partners to restore these vital ecosystems, and aspire to set an example for global mangrove restoration efforts. work, colla dedicate to resto vital ec and as examp m r
Executive Director
DR GONZALO DE LA MATA
Earthna Center for a Sustainable Future
MANGROVE RESTORATION
CHALLENGES
Mangroves represent about 1% of tropical forests and 0.4% of all forests globally
The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s global assessment of mangrove ecosystems estimates that more than 50% of all mangrove ecosystems are at risk of collapse by 2050 unless significant measures are taken.
Qatar’s mangrove forests are threatened by infrastructure and industrial development, as well as climate change. Their protection and conservation require a thorough assessment.
INITIATIVES
Restoration of 40 hectares of mangroves over 5 years, aiming to enhance ecosystem services, improve habitats for marine life reproduction, provide natural defences against sea-level rise, and demonstrate the concept of ‘building with nature’.
Research and studies: mapping for mangrove restoration on all of Qatar’s coasts, socio-economic impacts and relationships between ecotourism and general residential development, and ecosystems in hot arid environments; patterns, processes and factors influencing connectivity in and between mangrove, seagrass and coral reef ecosystems.
ADVANCING MANGROVE RESTORATION AND RESEARCH EFFORTS
In 2024, our mangrove restoration programme progressed significantly as part of a multi-stakeholder collaboration involving key authorities, academic institutions, and research organisations. This holistic initiative structured around three key components science-based restoration, marine science research, and an ecotourism socio-economic study — achieved notable milestones.
One land nursery was established and stocked with 28,600 mangrove seeds sowed while two coastal nurseries were established with 4,000 small trees for testing their acclimatisation potential. Two additional land nurseries with optimised design, were established and stocked with 97,000 sowed mangrove seeds. Three potential restoration sites are under evaluation for their suitability to serve as restoration sites, with partners including Qatar Foundation’s Earthna, the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, and Qatar University.
Development of studies on international best practices for mangrove restoration and nursery establishment and maintenance, as well as habitat mapping continue, reinforcing our commitment to sustainable coastal resilience.
2024 RESULTS
2 Land nurseries with optimised design established with 97,000 seeds sowed, 99% germination rate
2 Coastal nurseries for testing installed with 4,000 small trees
3 Restoration sites identified and under habitat suitability analysis
1 Socio-economic education and ecotourism research started
1 International best practice study on mangrove restoration in progress
1 remote sensing study to map mangrove habitats across Qatar in progress
1 MoU signed between Qatar University and Earthna
TOTAL RESULTS (2023 - 2024)
3 Land nurseries with 117,000 mangrove seeds sowed
2 Coastal nurseries for testing and acclimatisation installed with 4,000 small trees
3 restoration sites identified and under analysis
1 MoU signed between Qatar University and Earthna
JUNIOR AMBASSADORS & PARKS GREENTHUMB > USA
SHIPS OF HOPE
> Madagascar
> Guinea
> Sierra Leone
GENEVA TRANSLATIONAL ONCOLOGY PROGRAMME
> Switzerland
> Côte d’Ivoire
FROM PLASTIC BRICKS TO CLASSROOMS & YOMA
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
We support communities affected by poverty and inequality around the world, particularly those living by seas, oceans, and rivers, to fulfil their potential through health, education, self-empowerment and capacity-strengthening programmes and initiatives.
PARTNERSHIP GUIDED BY INNOVATION
FOCUS AREAS
Community Support
Environmental Conservation Education
PROGRAMMES
From Plastic Bricks to Classrooms Yoma
AFRICA
CÔTE D’IVOIRE
UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund, works worldwide to reach the most disadvantaged children and adolescents, saving children’s lives, defending their rights and helping them fulfil their potential.
Since 2009, MSC and UNICEF have profoundly impacted young lives across eight countries, increasing access to education and saving lives with reduced rates of severe malnutrition.
The leading programme, From Plastic Bricks to Classrooms, was launched in 2019 to strengthen children’s access to quality education, women’s livelihoods, and plastic waste recycling in Côte d’Ivoire.
In 2024, we continued to support Yoma, a digital platform powered by UNICEF, offering youths opportunities to develop skills, find jobs, and create positive social and environmental impacts.
Another eventful year of the partnership between UNICEF and the MSC Foundation has passed. In 2024, together we have successfully expanded our support to education in Côte d’Ivoire by equipping schools, strengthening WASH services and working to increase employment opportunities for young people. I am extremely grateful for our partnership with the MSC Foundation, which has been ongoing for 15 years.
I fo next ou an dr in c c
I look forward to the next chapter of our collaboration and to continue driving innovation and change for children and youth every day.
“
BETTINA JUNKER Executive Director UNICEF Switzerland and Liechtenstein
FROM PLASTIC BRICKS TO CLASSROOMS
CHALLENGES
23,8% of schools in Côte d’Ivoire lack classrooms and are incompletely furnished and equipped
Only 46% of primary schools in Côte d’Ivoire have access to all types of water points, and 50% have access to functioning toilets.
Around 200,000 teachers, from preschool to secondary education, are the focus of the government’s capacity-building programs for teaching.
Women face barriers to gaining economic opportunities, fair wages and stable incomes on par with men in Côte d’Ivoire.
INITIATIVES
Between 2019 and 2023, our three-part programme helped build bright and airy, clean and durable classrooms, reduce plastic pollution by removing tons of plastic waste out of landfill, and support vulnerable women waste collectors to earn a regular fair income.
In 2024 the Foundation continued improving water, sanitation and hygienic conditions, equipping schools with educational materials, rehabilitating additional classrooms and training teachers under the National Program for the Improvement of Fundamental Learning.
My name is Joël Oulai Gonkapieu. I am a student in the CM2 class at EPP Blapleu 3.
Our school was previously built with wooden planks. Whenever it started to rain, we weren’t safe and had to leave and go home. But then UNICEF came and built new buildings for us.
I am so happy to attend classes in these well-constructed and equipped rooms. Each bench seats two students.
We feel safe in these buildings. Now, we can properly focus and pay attention in class.
OULAI GONKAPIEU JOËL
Student at a Primary School in Blapleu
Before the new building, we faced many challenges with the old structure. The safety of the students was at risk, especially during rain and strong winds. The students were often distracted and struggled to focus because classes were held outdoors.
Whenever wind or rain threatened, teachers had to dismiss the students for their safety. Essential documents were also at risk due to heavy rains. Since moving into the new building, we have seen significant improvements. The students’ academic performance has greatly improved. The curriculum is now well-executed, and we can keep the teaching materials organised and well-maintained. The students are much more attentive in class, and the desks are resistant to any kind of damage. Most importantly, the students are filled with immense joy, as their learning environment has drastically improved.
2024 RESULTS
24 classrooms and 5 Principals’ offices were rehabilitated
59 classrooms equipped with school materials
10,970 children in better learning conditions
18,978 teachers and pedagogical advisers trained under the National programme
5,000 school kits for children distributed
TOTAL RESULTS (2019 - 2024)
24 classrooms and 5 Principals’ offices were rehabilitated
112 classrooms built and 171 classrooms equipped
16,570 children in better learning conditions
616,000 Tons of plastic recycled
188 women waste collectors trained and became members of an association
18,978 teachers trained and 5,000 school kits distributed for higher quality education
DOUMBIA AMARA Principal at Primary School in Gbene ments.
THE YOMA PLATFORM FOR YOUTH
CHALLENGES
More than 35% of young people in Côte d’Ivoire , 14 to 24 years old, are not in education, training or employment
Young people, representing more than 30% of the population in Côte d’Ivoire, face precarious conditions in the labour market and have difficulties accessing paid employment.
Around 40% of the workforce is employed in the informal sector, with young people, 14 to 35 years old, facing a 4% unemployment rate, compared to 2.4% in the rest of the population.
INITIATIVES
YOMA supports youth in Côte d’Ivoire achieve their potential with increased opportunities to gain employment, including blue and green jobs.
YOMA is a digital marketplace empowering young people to shape their professional trajectories, offering skills enhancement, profile building, networking and career advancement through employment or entrepreneurship.
2024 RESULTS
12,528 young people took part in face-to-face training
13,168 participated in YOMA online training
47 young people pitched business ideas, 5 business ideas in incubation
13,359 adolescents and youth engaged in clean-up, reforestation, and awareness-raising in response to 3 online challenges
4 youth internships done, 150 secured for the future
We emphasise that by registering on YOMA, they can improve their skill sets and connect with companies for potential internships. They can also take part in online challenges through pictures and videos where they promote their community actions in different areas such as the protection of the environment. The best participants get rewarded and can win incentives such as smartphones, computers or some seed funding for their business or social impact ideas.
TOTAL RESULTS (2023 - 2024)
15,728 young people took part in face-to-face training
13,168 participated in online training on YOMA 5 business ideas in incubation
13,571 adolescents and youth engaged in clean-up, reforestation, and awareness-raising in response to 3 online challenges
154 youth internships secured
CHARLIE YAO DJÈ YOMA Ambassador
YOMA Ambassador Charlie Yao Djè leading a workshop on “How to Write a Resume” and introducing YOMA resources to youth aged 17 to 25.
LIFE-CHANGING HOSPITAL SHIPS
AFRICA
MADAGASCAR
GUINEA
SIERRA LEONE
For over 45 years, Mercy Ships has operated hospital ships providing free, life-changing surgeries impacting more than 2.8 million lives. In 1990, the organisation shifted its focus to sub-Saharan Africa to provide safe surgeries, and medical education and training helping to improve healthcare systems of its host nations.
The MSC Foundation and MSC Group supported Mercy Ships for the 13th consecutive year, offering container shipping, maritime expertise, inland transportation and logistics in support of transformative medical services in Sierra Leone and Madagascar.
In 2024, the MSC Group, MSC Foundation and Mercy Ships joined forces on an extraordinary journey to construct a new hospital ship, the Atlantic Mercy to be in service by 2029.
MSC Foundation’s partnership strengthens our ability to fulfill our own mission of bringing hope and healing to the world’s forgotten poor. Together, we are able to provide more surgeries, more training, and more hope to those hurting in sub-Saharan Africa. MSC’s unwavering support helps extend our reach, ensuring that even more lives are transformed through lifechanging medical care.
transformed t me
DON STEPHENS Founder of Mercy Ships
SHIPS OF HOPE
CHALLENGES
More than 18 million people die due to lack of surgical care every year in Africa, which has the fewest surgeons per capita, with an estimated 0.5 surgeons per 100,000 population
Around 90% of people in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to safe, timely and affordable surgical care.
About 26.3 million people in Africa have a form of visual impairment. Of these, 20.4 million have low vision and 5.9 million are estimated to be blind. About 15.3% of the world’s blind population resides in Africa.
Burns, although preventable, continue to result in significant mortality, with more than 90% of burn injuries occurring in lowand middle-income countries, two-thirds of which are in Africa.
Mercy Ships can only meet increasing needs by expanding its fleet to provide more medical services and training.
INITIATIVES
Since 2011, we offer ocean transportation of containers and in-land logistic support, including port storage, local charges, customs duties, insurance, and inland transportation costs to Mercy Ships hospital ships, the Global Mercy and Africa Mercy to deliver food and medical supplies.
In 2024, the Foundation and the MSC Group began a joint initiative to build a new hospital ship, the sister ship of the Global Mercy, made possible by a significant donation from MSC and ongoing technical advice from a multidisciplinary MSC team of 18 specialists for the shipbuilding contract tendering process and ship design.
ANJARA, 10 MONTHS OLD
Lalaina prayed for 10 years to have another child. When her daughter, Anjara, was born, she named her “destiny,” believing she was a gift from God. But joy turned to guilt when Anjara was born with a bilateral cleft lip, a condition common yet difficult to treat in Madagascar due to a lack of specialists.
Lalaina blamed herself, struggling to embrace motherhood fully. She knew that the only way for Anjara to thrive would be with surgery to correct her cleft lip That’s when she heard about a hospital ship filled with volunteers heading toward their country.
When the Africa Mercy docked in Madagascar, Anjara’s family was among the first on board to seek safe, life-changing surgery.
The successful operation restored her smile and healed her family’s hearts.
“I thank God for Mercy Ships”, Anjara’s father shared. “Now she will be like other kids”.
Today, Anjara’s family is home, their prayers answered, and their hope renewed.
2024 RESULTS
SHIPS OF HOPE
5,027 Patients treated*
3,250 Surgeries performed
13,312 Dental procedures performed 923 Medical professionals and community leaders trained
TOTAL RESULTS (2011 - 2024)
SHIPS OF HOPE
37,006 Patients treated*
35,018 Surgeries performed 254,083 Dental procedures performed 18,928 Medical professionals and community leaders trained 824 Containers transported free of charge
10-month-old Anjara with her family after surgery to repair her cleft lip.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
SURGICAL CARE AND EDUCATION
IN FOCUS
HOUSING A COMMUNITY
In sub-Saharan Africa, the need for surgical services is immense, with an estimated 93% of the population lacking access to safe and affordable surgical care.
Since 1978, Mercy Ships has provided free, life-changing surgeries and medical training, impacting the lives of more than 2.8 million people. In 1990, we shifted focus to subSaharan Africa, with Togo being the first nation served. We work with Ministries of Health in our host nations to align our services with national priorities, providing medical care and training to strengthen long-term healthcare capacity.
Since 2011, Mercy Ships has been blessed by our friends of the MSC Group and MSC Foundation by assuring logistical support and container delivery of supplies to all our ports of service.
In 2024, we were awed and humbled once again when MSC committed to providing a significant anchor donation to construct a new hospital ship. The vessel, the Atlantic Mercy, will double our capacity, enabling our volunteer medical teams to provide more patients with procedures like maxillofacial/head and neck, surgery, orthopaedic procedures,
reconstructive plastic surgery and ophthalmic care.
She will also be equipped for our education, training and advocacy programmes for local healthcare professionals.
We are immensely grateful for the compassionate hearts of the Aponte family and their profound expression of trust in providing this generous gift.
DON AND DEYON STEPHENS Founders of Mercy Ships
TRANSFORMING LIVES
Designed with state-of-the-art hospital facilities and equipment, the new ship will provide world-class surgeries as well as quality preoperative and post-operative care.
BUILT TO TRAIN
The new ship will be built for education and training like her sister ship, the Global Mercy, enhancing surgical capacity in partner nations. It features dedicated training spaces, classrooms, and a simulation lab to replicate local conditions, ensuring sustainable impact and strengthening healthcare systems long after the ship departs.
HOUSING A COMMUNITY
To ensure surgical care and surgical education can continue sustainably, the new ship is being built to accommodate spaces for meetings, work, and life for the international crew, which includes medical, maritime, and general volunteers.
TRANSFORMING PATIENT CARE AND RESEARCH
SWITZERLAND
FOCUS AREAS Community Support PROGRAMME
The HUG Foundation is the philanthropic arm of the Geneva University Hospital and the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Geneva. It supports innovative and ambitious projects that benefit quality of care, patient well-being, medical research, and humanitarian causes.
The HUG prioritises data science and digitalisation, with precision oncology as its flagship. Its pathology division, the only one in Switzerland using digitised tumour slides routinely, produces 15,000 weekly, positioning HUG as a national leader and a global model in this field.
The University of Geneva houses the Translational Research Center in OncoHaematology, bringing together 300 top researchers and clinicians to advance understanding and develop future cancer therapies.
This five-year partnership aims to define, in a personalised way, the best treatment option at any given time, made possible by recent scientific and technological advances in the highly detailed analysis of tumour tissue.
We are thrilled with the remarkable progress of the Geneva Translational Oncology Program since its launch this year.
Several key milestones have already been achieved: all high-performance scientific equipment essential for initiating the project was successfully delivered and installed at our facilities last autumn; the two awardees selected to conduct translational research in collaboration with our program are set to begin their promising projects shortly; and, also excitingly, we are organizing a major upcoming event-a two-day scientific retreat where leading research groups will showcase their latest advancements in cancer research.
PROF MIKAËL PITTET
PROF OLIVIER MICHIELIN
Akoya PhenoCycler™ - Fusion System (microscope)
GENEVA TRANSLATIONAL ONCOLOGY PROGRAMME
CHALLENGES
Each year, cancer claims the lives of 10 million people worldwide, accounting for nearly one in six deaths, ranking it as the leading cause of mortality globally. The number of new cancer cases in the Canton of Geneva has risen steadily, reaching 2,500 annually.
Today, cancer treatment is primarily organ-specific, e.g. lung cancer will typically receive a certain type of treatment. However, not all lung cancer patients will positively respond to this given treatment. There is an urgent need for more effective and tailored methods based on personalised medicine to determine the best therapeutic option, not only based on the organ from which the cancer originates but also on the molecular and cellular characteristics of the tumour.
Effectively integrating biological data from vast amounts of biopsies and tumour sections with clinical patient data requires a complex digital infrastructure
INITIATIVES
Revolutionise cancer patient care by precisely tailoring the best therapeutic options to each individual at the right time.
Develop and support translational research in precision oncology
Set up a cutting-edge biobank and digital infrastructure to connect the clinical data of thousands of patients with their digitised tumour samples and fund largescale translational research programmes utilising the biobank.
The five-year partnership aims to promote patient care, drive cutting-edge international cancer research, and advance innovative treatments. In the first year, key achievements include establishing a Scientific Council of four renowned experts, an internal Executive Board with four members, launching a call for research proposals, selecting two groundbreaking translational research projects and two fellowships, and achieving 20% progress in upgrading sample storage and infrastructure analysis.
These milestones lay a strong foundation for future breakthroughs, fostering collaboration and accelerating cancer care and research progress.
2024 RESULTS
SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF THE PROGRAMME:
1 Scientific Council composed of 4 renowned experts
1 Internal Executive Board with 4 members
1 Call for fellowships and research grants aiming to promote and improve the personalisation of patient treatments
2 Research projects and 2 fellowships selected
7 Seminars
2 Ad hoc conferences with distinguished lecturers, 1 retreat
20% PROGRESS IN THE SET-UP OF THE BIOBANK AND DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE:
Acquisition of a state-of-the-art instrument enabling in-depth tumour tissue analysis
Key scientific staff in bioinformatics and clinical data science hired
EXPECTED RESULTS
4 research projects completed
5 fellowships completed
35 monthly seminars, 5 retreats, 5 conferences
A state-of-the-art biobank and digital infrastructure established
Phenocycler – Fluidics.
NYC LOCAL AND GLOBAL COMMUNITIES
NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs
The Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City is a non-profit organisation that works with City agencies and offices, institutional funders and community-based partners to improve the lives of New Yorkers.
The MSC Foundation supported the NYC Junior Ambassadors programme for 7th, 8th, and 9th graders and teachers in underserved communities across the five boroughs of New York City. The program connects these youth with United Nations officials and Ambassadors to exchange knowledge, skills, and global perspectives on some pressing issues on the UN’s international agenda, such as climate change, poverty reduction, and health.
The Foundation also supports the NYC GreenThumb Garden programme to provide resources, technical assistance, workshops, and other social initiatives in 7 South Brooklyn communities to improve air quality, preserve biodiversity, and support their residents’ health, well-being and social connections.
We extend our gratitude to the MSC Foundation for their unwavering commitment to New York City youth and educators and providing them the opportunity to become global citizens through the NYC Junior Ambassadors program.
Thanks to the MSC Foundation’s support, our NYC Junior Ambassadors have developed lifelong professional and civic skills.
By using the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals, including Climate Action, Life Below Water, and Quality Education, participants have also gained knowledge and tools to act positively in their communities on these issues shaping the present and future of NYC.
Climate Water, particip
tools to comm sha f
EDWARD MERMELSTEIN Commissioner of NYC Mayor’s Office for International Affairs
NYC JUNIOR AMBASSADORS
CHALLENGES
Youth in middle school and early high school are especially at a critical time in their personal and intellectual growth to develop habits and social behaviours that lay the foundation for adulthood.
The success of the sustainable development goals depends on young change-makers.
72,8% of students attending city schools in New York are economically disadvantaged.
INITIATIVES
The NYCJA programme runs annually for six months, empowering 7th, 8th, and 9th graders with global perspectives while developing their knowledge and soft skills through practical actions in the context of the UN’s mission, values and work, catalysed by contact with leaders.
The MSC Foundation aims to help expand the NYCJA programme to reach nearly 1,200 New York City 7th, 8th, and 9th graders and educators in the past two years.
Participating in the NYC Junior Ambassadors program was a transformative experience. Visiting the United Nations inspired me as I saw 193 countries working together to address global issues like poverty and hunger.
Our class focused on Sustainable Development Goal #2: ‘Zero Hunger’ and created a school vegetable garden as our capstone project. We partnered with ‘Let’s Feed Harlem’ to distribute fresh produce during a monthly food drive and collaborated with a community garden to expand our efforts.
Renaissance School of the Arts
This program is embedded in the culture of our school. We prepare our students to be the leaders of tomorrow and to be the change in the world they want to see. Through the years, our students have explored Sustainable Development Goals such as Good Health and Well Being, Quality Education, Gender Equity, Climate Action, Clean Water and Sanitation, Responsible Consumption and Production, and Partnerships for the Goals.
Brooklyn Science and Engineering Academy
2024 RESULTS
20 classes in 20 schools participated, supported with $500 each to develop community-led initiatives
740 students and 41 teachers participated
16 Ambassadors met with NYC Junior Ambassadors in their communities
60+ UN officials engaged with the students
TOTAL RESULTS (2022 - 2024)
40 classes in the same 20 schools participated and supported with $500 each to develop community-led initiatives
1410 students and 41 teachers participated
30 Ambassadors met with NYC Junior Ambassadors in their communities
120+ UN officials engaged with the students
TYCENT SNEED
NATALIE GUITEAU
NYC PARKS GREENTHUMB
CHALLENGES
Many people, especially in low-income communities in New York, have limited access to green spaces
Urban areas are experiencing the effects of climate change, including very high heat events and flooding.
GreenThumb community gardens in South Brooklyn create spaces to build social nets and preserve the local environment, but they need repair and investment.
Community-led green spaces lack funding for logistics and equipment.
INITIATIVES
GreenThumb empowers community garden groups by providing materials, technical assistance, and educational workshops, promoting health, resilience, and social connections through gardening and community activities for all ages and demographics. MSC Foundation supplies resources to support seven community gardens.
Thank you for providing funding for our garden. The garden was in great need of pruning and we almost didn’t believe our good fortune. We were able to receive crucial pruning for the health of several trees and to reduce the tree canopy over our vegetable beds. We were also able to take down invasive trees that were in bad health and harbouring invasive spotted lanternflies. This pruning work has transformed our garden, letting in much-needed light! We’re excited to see how our vegetables and garden grow!
KAREN HOLT Backyard Garden Member
2024 RESULTS
7 GreenThumb community gardens embellished in South Brooklyn
264 gardeners and their families supported
TOTAL RESULTS (2022 - 2024)
Same 7 GreenThumb community gardens each year
Same 264 gardeners and their families supported each year
PANGAEA X > Europe
> Côte d’Ivoire
GUARDIAN DOLPHINS & NAUTICINBLU
LU GUARDI NAUT DIA UTIC RDI
> It
>Itta
> Italy
> Spa
> Spain
>Po
> P NAU taly AN
> NDO
> Portugal
> Greece
y Port G
EDUCATION
Anchored in the transformative power of education, we support environmental and marine conservation education activities in primary and middle schools, vocational training in Nautical Institutes and leadership development for young adults.
NURTURING CITIZENS OF THE OCEAN
FOCUS AREAS
Education
Marine Conservation
PROGRAMMES
Guardian Dolphins of the Island Nauticinblu
Marevivo Foundation is a leading authority in marine conservation and environmental advocacy in Italy, renowned for its dedication to protecting the country’s coastal and marine ecosystems through scientific initiatives, policy engagement, education and public awareness campaigns.
MSC has partnered with Marevivo since 2015, supporting environmental education in the Mediterranean. Their initiatives raise awareness of marine ecosystems and protected areas to promote biodiversity protection and encourage sustainable development practices from an early age.
The MSC Foundation supports two key programmes: Guardian Dolphins of the Island for primary school children, principally on Italy’s minor islands, and Nauticinblu for secondary students at nautical institutes in Italy and Spain, as well as Greece and Portugal since 2024.
With forty years of experience, we have learned that effectively protecting the sea and the environment requires a structured and science-backed approach - the Marevivo method.
Guided by our scientific committee, we work on multiple fronts: we contribute to laws that safeguard the environment and marine ecosystems, run public awareness campaigns, and lead education initiatives that empower individuals with the knowledge needed for concrete action.
Bringing about a cultural shift, one that tackles the ongoing climate crisis, begins with recognising the essential role the sea plays in sustaining life.
the beegins wit essential in sustai
We cannot respect or protect what we do not know and understand.
We e can prrot o ec a
ROSALBA GIUGNI Founder and President of Marevivo
GUARDIAN DOLPHINS OF THE ISLAND
CHALLENGES
229,000 tons of plastic leak into the Mediterranean Sea yearly, equivalent to over 500 shipping containers daily. It concentrates 7% of all global microplastics.
134 species in the Mediterranean are victims of plastic ingestion, and 51% of its native fish species are in danger of extinction, with 4% listed as near threatened.
With 34,000 tons/year, Italy has one of the highest plastic leakage rates in the Mediterranean Sea.
Only 57% of Italian elementary school students possess scientific knowledge about ocean issues due to a lack of ocean literacy topics in national curricula.
INITIATIVES
Supported by MSC annually since the start, Guardian Dolphins is an educational programme for primary school children aged between 8 and 10 of Italy’s islands of La Maddalena, Elba, Capraia, Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Stromboli, Panarea, Filicudi, Favignana, Marettimo and Ustica, and the city of Milazzo in Sicily.
Combining multidisciplinary lessons on natural resources and their responsible use with experimental learning and outdoor activities, the programme complements the school curriculum.
Throughout the school year, students and teachers, guided by expert operators, take part in four workshops and four activities, mostly outdoors or in the Blue Corner, a multimedia-equipped environmental education station.
Delfini Guardiani was an incredible experience that showed us the importance of protecting the marine environment by preventing pollution and actively contributing to keeping our land and sea clean.
Thanks to Marevivo, we’ve learned that if each of us takes responsibility, we can protect the environment and water, the most precious resource we have, essential for life on Earth.
MIRIAM LO RICCO
5th grade student
Isole Eolie School – Lipari
Our school, which includes students and teachers from the islands of Lipari, Salina, Stromboli, Panarea, Filicudi, and Alicudi, has been participating in the Delfini Guardiani project since 2015. Marevivo’s team brings to our islands a wonderful wave of knowledge, experiences, emotions, and inspiration about the sea and all its inhabitants. Every year, our students eagerly await the start of the project, and when they see the Marevivo flags appear, they shout with joy, raise their fins, and wave like dolphins. Thank you, Marevivo, for your dedication and for continuing to bring the positive wave of the sea.
MIRELLA FANTI
Headmaster
Isole Eolie School Lipari
2024 RESULTS
TOTAL RESULTS (2015 - 2024)
CHALLENGES
Despite sharing a vast coastline and maritime history, many European citizens are not aware of the importance of the ocean and the opportunities it offers.
In most EU countries, less than 20% of vocational training programmes include significant environmental topics, with less than 10% of total training hours devoted to these subjects.
Nautical Institute students are often unaware of the blue job opportunities in environmental conservation.
INITIATIVES
Conceived by MSC and Marevivo together, Nauticinblu is a training programme the Foundation supports annually. It is designed to equip students in nautical institute secondary schools aged between 15 and 17 with key tools to navigate the ongoing ecological transition and to sustainably manage the planet.
The 4-day programme alternates indoor lessons with outdoor educational activities, providing the students and their teachers with information on marine biodiversity, ocean ecosystem services, the circular economy and energy transition, national and international maritime regulations, and emerging “blue jobs”.
The project engaged 13 Nautical Institutes in Italy and Spain, and expanded to Portugal and Greece this year.
GIULIA Student at the “Artiglio” Nautical Institute in Viareggio
I really enjoyed exploring these topics in greater depth because I love the sea. What struck me the most was first discussing the issues and then seeing them first-hand, and realising what we often overlook: our beaches are full of waste. What shocked me the most was the sheer amount of plastic and everyday objects I use myself. After this experience with Nauticinblu and Marevivo, I know I will be much more careful not to pollute our sea. What scares me is thinking about what future generations will find if we don’t take action now. At the same time, this awareness makes me feel like an important part of the change, because I now know that I, too, can do something positive.
COCCIOLA Teacher at the Acciaiuoli Nautical Institute in Ortona I b d re W a A b is t
For the past seven years, we have been delighted to host this project, and we sincerely hope there will be future editions. It engages both boys and girls in environmental education, not only in the classroom but also through hands-on, experiential learning, such as collecting and analysing stranded waste. We are also pleased for another fundamental reason: this project provides invaluable support to us teachers in the study of civic education. During those lessons, we make extensive use of the materials and topics covered in the four-day full immersion in Nauticinblu, which enables us to engage students more effectively. This way, they truly feel like protagonists of the change that we are all experiencing on our planet.
2024 RESULTS
1,324 Nautical Institute students in (Italy 946, Spain 103, Greece 130, Portugal 145)
272 Classes (Italy 254, Spain 7, Greece 6, Portugal 5)
MARIELLA
EDUCATION
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
OUR PROFOUND COMMITMENT TO ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
IN FOCUS
In 2024, the Foundation supported environmental education through 3 dedicated programmes that reached about 30,000 people in Africa and Europe, equipping them with new skills and knowledge to take action at school, work and in their communities to preserve and protect the health of the planet.
Our partner Marevivo, a highly respected marine conservation and environmental advocacy leader in Italy since 40 years, reached about 3,000 children and teenagers, and over 400 teachers and family with marine conservation education, expanding its support in Italy and Spain, to Greece and Portugal. In October, together, we mobilised support in Italy for the implementation of the Salvamare law.
The “Il Mare a Scuola” public awareness campaign took place over 10 days in Italy aboard the Motor Ship Patrizia, stopping in Naples, Palermo, Livorno, and Genoa.
Hosted by Marevivo, the campaign featured thematic round table discussions, educational sessions and an interactive gallery on marine conservation. It engaged over 1,000 students, dozens of institutional representatives, and the media, garnering 150,000 social media impressions and 115 news stories including TV, radio, newspaper and online outlets.
RESULTS
4 cities: Napoli, Palermo, Livorno, Genoa
10 days,
1,200 miles
1,000+ students
50 roundtable speakers
10 Testimonials
Commitment by Institutions to implement the Salvamare law
1 Gallery of interactive experiences
1 beach clean-up
ENVIRONMENTAL
EDUCATION NEEDS TO BE A PRIORITY IN SCHOOL CURRICULA
Environmental education is vital to fostering a society that values and protects the Planet. Marevivo has always been committed to educating younger generations about environmental awareness and the essential role of the sea in sustaining life, making this mission its guiding light.
Since 2015, Marevivo’s partnership with the MSC Foundation has reached thousands of students and hundreds of teachers across Italy, instilling respect for the marine environment.
In 2024, we joined forces for the “Il Mare a Scuola” campaign, advocating for the inclusion of environmental education in schools and the implementation of the Salvamare law.
This initiative, supported by the UNESCO Ocean Decade, highlights the ocean’s crucial role in regulating climate and sustaining life. The European Union urges member states to prioritise environmental education. France’s Eco-Schools programme and the UK’s Teach the Future campaign demonstrate how integrating sustainability into education empowers students to take action.
A survey found that over 70% of Italians are
unaware of the ocean’s fundamental functions, underscoring the need for environmental education.
Italy must follow suit by embedding environmental education into the school system. Educating young people about ocean conservation fosters a culture of sustainability and ensures a healthier future for our planet. Our future depends on the health of the sea, but the health of the sea depends on our actions.
by ROSALBA GIUGNI Founder and President of Marevivo
YOUTH BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE
FOCUS AREAS
The Horn Foundation aims to raise awareness of pressing environmental and social issues, creating opportunities for people to become changemakers.
The MSC Foundation sponsored the 3rd edition of Pangaea X, aiming to nurture the spirit of adventure and responsibility in young people. This unique incubation programme assists entrepreneurial innovators to develop projects tackling environmental challenges in their communities. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to empowering young adults through environmental education and innovation.
Over six-months, participants aged 18 to 30 delve into essential themes for the future of our planet, including biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, innovative concepts, and sustainable development strategies.
The Pangaea X program in Côte d’Ivoire has been a remarkable journey of connection and innovation. Bringing together diverse cultures and talents, it’s inspiring to see young minds tackling global challenges with local insights.
This program proves that when we share knowledge and work collaboratively across borders, we can drive meaningful social and environmental progress.
Côte d’Ivoire’s vibrant spirit has truly enriched this initiative, making it unforgettable for everyone involved.
environme d’Ivo has t this initiativ it unforg for e inv
MIKE HORN Professional Explorer
PANGAEA X
CHALLENGES
Youth knowledge of the SDGs is limited in many regions because they are not included in formal curricula. As a result, many young people may graduate without a comprehensive understanding of climate issues or the sustainable development agenda.
There is a gap in the assistance from governmental and education institutions to address the lack of support for young people for developing impact projects The critical needs include mentorship and guidance to help youth develop impactful solutions.
Youth-led innovation is underresourced and overlooked despite young people’s unique talents, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit.
INITIATIVES
Pangaea X engages 18-30-yearolds passionate about environmental conservation and social change, including students, early-career professionals, and young entrepreneurs driving SDG-focused solutions.
Pangaea X is designed to guide and support young adults in developing their environmental projects through mentoring, networking opportunities, and financial support.
This 6-month intensive incubation programme equips participants with the tools, knowledge, and support needed for professional and personal growth, aiming to turn bold ideas into practical and viable solutions.
MSC Foundation Special Prize winner, Siboré, on stage to receive their awards.
Hackathon Côte d’Ivoire top Prize winner from Ivoire Straw.
PANGAEA X AND AGL JOIN FORCES FOR YOUNG IVORIAN INNOVATORS
The Hackathon Côte d’Ivoire united, between 30 May and the 1st of June, talented young innovators to tackle pressing environmental and social challenges. Ivoire Straw, the winning team, advanced to the Pangaea X Europe competition with their biodegradable packaging from rice straw. MEDEV earned AGL’s special recognition for their flood crisis management app, securing incubation support in Abidjan. Siboré won the MSC Foundation Special Prize for transforming banana fibres into biodegradable hair products, receiving funding for training and implementation.
Pangaea X is much more than an incubator; it’s an enriching experience both professionally and personally. You join with the ambition of launching your startup, but you leave profoundly transformed, with enhanced skills, a broadened vision, and strong connections within a community of like-minded talents. It’s a true springboard.
HACANE TRICHIM, LIES AMSELLEM, LORENZO DECAROLIS, EVELYNE POGOSIAN
2024 Ecosphere Team
PANGAEA X 2024: EMPOWERING YOUNG INNOVATORS FOR GLOBAL IMPACT
The 2024 Pangaea X competition supported young entrepreneurs in developing sustainable solutions to environmental and social challenges. With 30 participants from France, Switzerland, Belgium, and Côte d’Ivoire, 11 teams competed, and six advanced to the final on 18 October at Station F in Paris. Izyflore won the €20,000 Grand Prize for their vermicomposting solution, Abord received €5,000 for maritime sustainability, and Ivoire Straw won the People’s Choice Award for biodegradable packaging. The competition provided mentoring, funding, and expert exposure.
2024 RESULTS
6 Countries, 9 organisations supporting Pangaea X
67 young participants in Europe and Côte d’Ivoire editions.
TOTAL RESULTS (2023 - 2024)
6 Countries, 9 organisations supporting Pangaea X 90 young participants from Europe and Côte d’Ivoire
2024 FLOODS
2024 FLOODS > Brazil
2023-2024 STORMS > Italy THQUAKE R O S
2024 TORNADO > South Africa
EARTHQUAKE
2024 FLOODS > Chad
2023-2024 CYCLONE > Mozambique
2024 FLOODS > Myanmar > Thailand > Vietnam
EMERGENCY RELIEF
Leveraging the MSC Group’s global reach and the capabilities of its Cargo Division in particular, we support emergency responses in disaster situations. We work with international and local partners to rapidly collect and transport food and other essential items for the most vulnerable affected populations.
HELPING SAVE AND REBUILD LIVES
I am committed to our Foundation building on MSC’s global reach and shipping expertise to deliver critical aid where it’s needed most.
By providing in-kind cargo donations, we can capitalise on our worldwide network to swiftly respond to disasters, ensuring life-saving supplies reach affected communities and helping them rebuild in the aftermath.
Working with international and local partners reinforces our determination to make a meaningful impact together, to help vulnerable people in crises and contribute to a more resilient, connected world.
In 2024, the MSC Foundation supported humanitarian efforts in 12 countries, responding to seven new emergencies. We provided flood relief in Brazil and the Czech Republic, assisted tornado-affected communities in South Africa, and supported recovery after a typhoon hit Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Our new partnership with UNHCR leverages the MSC Group’s cargo transport expertise and global network to help the UN swiftly and flexibly ship relief items to Africa.
We also extended support beyond the emergency phase in four humanitarian situations, providing aid to people affected by the 2023 earthquake in Syria and Türkiye, rebuilding classrooms in Mozambique and restoring water systems in Eastern Ukraine.
DIEGO APONTE MSC Group President
RESPONDING TO NEW EMERGENCIES
CHALLENGES
Globally, the scale of international humanitarian assistance needs identified at the end of 2024 is massive: 305 million people in need, 189 million targeted for assistance, and 30 million due to disaster-driven events (16% of the total).
Climate-related disasters, intensified by the climate crisis, are increasing in frequency, affecting millions of people each year, uprooting many from their homes and worsening humanitarian challenges worldwide.
Annual shortfalls in humanitarian funding from states and inter-governmental organisations persist, ranging between 40-50% over the last five years. While private sector actors cannot substitute for government actions, they can play a crucial role in supporting international and local disaster responses.
INITIATIVES
Free ocean shipping and inland transportation enhance the response capacities of international and local organisations, helping aid reach affected communities swiftly and efficiently.
Donation and free leasing of containers provide essential support for humanitarian operations, facilitating the transport and secure storage of relief supplies in disaster-affected areas.
Monetary donations offer flexibility to provide affected communities with aid to meet specific needs in times of crisis.
PARTNERING WITH UNHCR FOR FLOOD RELIEF IN CHAD
In October 2024, the MSC Foundation partnered with UNHCR for the third consecutive year, committing to shipping 50 containers of life-saving supplies by land and sea to reinforce UNHCR’s relief responses to climate emergencies in Africa.
The first response is supporting flood relief in Chad, where, according to the UN, more than 10,000 homes were destroyed, and at least 400,000 people were forced to flee their homes across the country.
This partnership strengthens UNHCR’s capacity to assist the displaced and highlights the essential role of private-sector collaboration in responding to climate-driven humanitarian crises.
BENJAMIN SAFARI Head of Supply Management Service, UNHCR
At a time when humanitarian needs are greater than ever and increasing faster than resources, steadfast support from the MSC Foundation remains invaluable to UNHCR’s emergency response efforts.
This year, your commitment to providing critical assistance in transporting relief supplies to Chad following the devastating floods ensures that essential aid is reaching those most in need.
The MSC Foundation’s dedication to swift and efficient humanitarian logistics continues to play a pivotal role in our mission to protect and assist displaced communities worldwide.
Your commitment to solidarity and action in times of crisis makes a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable.
2024 RESULTS
RESULTS (2019
FROM CRISIS TO RECOVERY
FROM CRISIS TO RECOVERY: HOW WE HELP NATIONS RESPOND
Humanitarian action follows a cycle to save lives and rebuild communities. It begins with preparedness and strengthening systems before crises hit. Response delivers urgent aid, while recovery helps restore stability. Long-term mitigation and resilience efforts reduce future risks. Together, these phases ensure faster, more effective relief and lasting support for affected populations.
The MSC Foundation contributed to both emergency response and the transition to early recovery. Funding from 2023 enabled the 2024 completion of classroom rebuilding for 2 schools in Mozambique and the restoration of vital water systems in Ukraine. Also, funds donated by MSC Group employees after the 2023 earthquake continued to provide essential medicines for 21,575 medical clinic patients in Syria and cash assistance for 3,236 people from 800 of the most vulnerable families in Türkiye, helping them to regain stability for rebuilding.
SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES AFFECTED BY TYPHOON YAGI IN THREE COUNTRIES
In September 2024, Super Typhoon Yagi impacted over 5.3 million people across Southeast Asia. The MSC Foundation contributed to response and early recovery, partnering with local organisations to provide critical aid.
The Thai Red Cross Society helped deliver essential goods and medical supplies to 3,500 flood-affected individuals in Thailand.
In Myanmar, 4,624 people received emergency aid through Community Partners International and the Myanmar Red Cross Society.
In Vietnam, we supported livelihood recovery by distributing seedlings, livestock, and equipment and repairing and constructing new classrooms and schools, benefiting 2,100 students and families.
Children, teachers, local officials, and guests at the inauguration of the newly restored primary school.
Pomene primary school girl with her new classroom materials.
REBUILDING CLEAN WATER SYSTEMS IN UKRAINE WITH MEDAIR
Since November 2023, the MSC Foundation has supported a critical humanitarian rebuilding project in Ukraine, restoring access to clean drinking water for the community of Savyntsi in Eastern Ukraine affected by the conflict.
This initiative has directly benefited 4,256 people, with 1,153 meters of pipeline rehabilitated and a new water tower constructed to ensure long-term water access.
By addressing urgent infrastructure needs, the Foundation played a key role in rebuilding essential services and improving daily life for those impacted.
OKSANA SUPRUN Head of Savyntsi Council, Ukraine
The township of Savyntsi has over 3,000 inhabitants. It has a centralised water supply from two boreholes. One of them was damaged during hostilities, a blast caused damages to a pipeline and a shift of soil layers.
Capital repairs and installation of a water tower ensured a complete cover of this need in this part of the settlement. With 48 % of the population forced to leave, restoration of the social infrastructure including water supply will contribute to their decision to return.
MEDAIR is one of the organisations that solves the most urgent problems of the community, finding out the most painful moments that stand in the fore of the development of the community. We are happy to be partners with such a powerful organisation.
TOGO
IVORY COAST
MADAGASCAR
SPAIN
SWITZERLAND
UKRAINE
ISRAEL
LEBANON
SYRIA
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
MALAWI
CAMBODIA
GREECE
CAMEROON
CHILE
GUATEMALA PANAMA
NIGER UNITED STATES
LOCAL INITIATIVES
Collaborating with the MSC Group globally, we support local initiatives across our four focus areas. Through monetary contributions, container donations, free ocean shipping, inland logistics and technical advice, we strengthen local organisations’ and institutions’ capacities to make a difference in vulnerable communities.
GLOBAL REACH THROUGH LOCAL INITIATIVES
In 2024, our contributions to local initiatives saw remarkable growth across our focus areas, supporting 27 initiatives and 34 beneficiary organisations in 20 countries–an increase of 80%, 89%, and 54%, respectively, compared to last year.
Through eight monetary contributions and the donation of 14 containers for repurposing in education, training, and community development, we showcased the powerful synergy between our global reach and local networks.
This dynamic approach has significantly amplified our support and impact, ensuring that communities receive targeted, meaningful assistance across our key focus areas at the local level.
ELÂ SOYUER APONTE
MSC Foundation Board
At the heart of our Foundation’s work is the power of collaboration. Across the globe, MSC Group offices are connected in their support of locally driven initiatives, guided by the deep knowledge and expertise within our communities.
As a bridge for global and local action, the MSC Foundation embodies support that binds local organisations to make an impactful difference-rooted in local knowledge, community resources, and resilience. United, we create lasting impact where it matters most.
2024 RESULTS
42,070 People reached 20 Countries
27 Local initiatives
34 Beneficiary organisations
8 Monetary donations
14 Donated containers repurposed
17 Containers transported free of charge
LOCAL INITIATIVES
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION
The MSC Foundation is committed to environmental conservation through various impactful initiatives worldwide.
PLASTIC RECYCLING FACILITY IN COTE D’IVOIRE
In Côte d’Ivoire, Green Ivory repurposed 2 containers for a plastic recycling facility as part of a cleanup project in Grand Bassam.
SOLAR POWER FOR PURPOSE
In Italy, we started collaborating with ERG last year in support of their Social Purpose for Solar Revamping initiative. In 2024, with donations of containers, technical expertise, free maritime transportation and inland logistics of preused ERG solar panels, we helped nonprofit organisations in Italy, Malawi, and Madagascar transition to solar energy.
This collaboration will extend to Ukraine and Zimbabwe in 2025.
In Switzerland, our free container transportation supported the SolarButterfly project, a fully solar-powered mobile awareness unit travelling across multiple continents to promote renewable energy solutions.
We are grateful to MSC Foundation for engaging in this project together with ERG, in order to provide green energy to Dynamo Camp. Since 2007, Dynamo Camp has been offering free of charge Dynamo® Recreational Therapy programs to children and adolescents with significant or chronic diseases, neurodevelopmental problems, or disabilities. Dynamo Camp is part of SeriousFun Children’s Network founded by Paul Newman.
SERENA PORCARI Dynamo Camp CEO
A LEGACY FOR CORAL RESTORATION IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
The Marine Innovation Center, built by repurposing 15 shipping containers, is set to become a pioneering hub for coral reef restoration in the Dominican Republic and the region. This unique facility will enable international collaboration, piloting new restoration techniques, technologies, and equipment.
SEA TURTLES CONSERVANCY IN PANAMA
With MSC Panama, the MSC Foundation is providing technical advice on project development, implementation and evaluation for an initiative led by the Sea Turtle Conservancy.
The Soropta Hatchery Project aims to protect Leatherback and other sea turtle species from extinction by safeguarding nests from poachers, addressing the threats of sea level rise and mitigating habitat destruction.
Beyond conservation, the project is strengthening the capacities of key government and civil society stakeholders. Through comprehensive training and
Significant progress was made, including three laboratories for coral and sea urchin reproduction and the country’s first coral DNA extraction.
The centre will house administrative offices, co-working spaces, intern accommodations, and conservation-focused green areas.
skills development, local communities are gaining an understanding of sea turtle conservation, habitat protection, and sustainable practices, empowering them to take conservation action.
EDUCATION
The MSC Foundation empowered education through diverse community learning initiatives.
CONTAINERS FOR LEARNING IN NIGER
In Switzerland, we donated 4 containers for repurposing into community libraries in Niger.
The free transportation of 160,000 books, school furniture, clothing, and toys to the Association Isabelle Chevalley contributed to the Payot Bookstore’s Read & Share initiative.
PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE IN SPAIN
In Spain, the Best Tourism Final Degree Project Award at Complutense University of Madrid honoured Lucía Mardomingo for her project, “Citizen Participation in Spanish Tourist Destinations.”
She was the 3rd annual recipient of a €3,000 prize and a six-month internship at MSC Cruises, an award created in memory of Emiliano Gonzales, former head of MSC Cruises Spain.
CONTAINERS FOR TRAINING
In the USA, 5 donated shipping containers are being transformed by the Nunez Community College into training platforms for its Center of Vocational Excellence for Offshore Renewables.
Another is being repurposed by the Miami Beach Life-Safety Institute Ems & Fire Organization for its life safety education and certification courses.
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
The MSC Foundation’s engagement with employees led to a remarkable show of solidarity and generosity across multiple initiatives.
5TH ANNUAL FESTIVE SMILES
MSC employees donated 350 gifts for local families and volunteered their time to the Croix Rouge Genevoise to distribute holiday baskets. Joining forces for the first time with MSC employees in Italy and the UK, we gave an additional 386 gifts to families in Milan, Naples and London.
Since the start, a total of 2,034 gifts have been donated. Through our Ready to Donate initiative, employees also gave 1,500 kg of clothing and other items to the Croix Rouge Genevoise non-profit second-hand shops.
GENEVA BEACH CLEANUP
Volunteers participated in a Lake Geneva cleanup, collecting 720 kg of litter, reinforcing our environmental conservation focus in Switzerland.
TECHNOLOGY FOR GOOD
In collaboration with our global IT and HR teams, the Foundation donated 40 pre-used computer monitors to the Centre Social Protestant Genève, enhancing digital access for those in need.
Through our Shop for a Cause initiative, MSC employees purchased 127 tech items, raising over 8,000 CHF for a scholarship for a University of The Bahamas student in Marine Science under the Super Coral Reefs Programme.
OUR WORK ON THE WAVES
RISING TO THE CHALLENGE TOGETHER
The MSC Foundation’s onboard awarenessraising and fundraising have become a cornerstone of our work, inspired by the incredible generosity and enthusiastic feedback of cruise guests over the years
With MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys hosting over 4 million guests representing about 180 nationalities annually, our work on the waves informs guests about the Foundation’s commitments to our Blue Planet, its ecosystems and inhabitants.
Thanks to our programmes and partners, we continuously gain knowledge and experience about some of the most pressing environmental, education, community and humanitarian challenges, and solutions being
around the world to address them. Our message is always one of hope: together, we can support concrete actions to build a future in which the oceans thrive and communities flourish
Guests can donate to make a tangible difference, knowing that the Foundation allocates 100% of their donations directly to programmes and that they are matched by MSC, amplifying their impact
Guest engagement has been extraordinary, contributing to thousands of lives saved, new educational experiences for disadvantaged children and communities worldwide recovering from disasters.
OUR WORK ON THE WAVES
MSC FOUNDATION REPRESENTATIVES
Our work at sea is brought to life by the passion and dedication of our 7 MSC Foundation Representatives: six on board MSC Cruises ships and one on Explora II. Each one of them embodies our vision and mission, engaging cruise guests with information about our programmes and the pressing marine conservation, development and humanitarian challenges they address.
Their role is to welcome guests of all ages in a beautifully designed space equipped with LED screens and interactive tablets. By relaying the MSC Foundation’s aims and experience in coral reef restoration at Ocean Cay and other marine conservation, development and humanitarian activities it funds, our Representatives are inspiring guests to act, including by donating or purchasing items from our Buy for Good branded collection.
I am overjoyed to witness the enthusiasm and strong support from MSC Cruises’ guests for our initiatives. Their true appreciation and readiness to contribute inspire me on a daily basis. Being part of the MSC Foundation team is a privilege, as it lets me turn my passion into tangible action enabling others to have a meaningful impact on our planet and its people.
EMANUEL ANTONIO VASQUEZ ALMONTE MSC Virtuosa
MSC FOUNDATION ON BOARD
Every MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys voyage features an MSC Foundation Day dedicated to fostering environmental awareness in our young guests.
In 2024, over 100,000 children and youth engaged in a wide variety of fun, imaginative activities, teaching them about environmental conservation and the wonders of our beautiful planet. Ranging from drawing and family games to video quizzes and more, these interactive sessions were developed with our university partners of the Super Coral Reefs Programme, Mission Blue, Marevivo and UNICEF
MSC Foundation Day ends with an unforgettable parade in which every participant is awarded a certificate as a memento of their educational experience. This high-energy initiative educates and inspires the next generation to care for our oceans and planet.
A NEW ANTHEM FOR MSC FOUNDATION DAY
This celebration reached new heights this year with the official launch of Everybody Loves the Sea, a vibrant and inspiring song dedicated to the oceans, composed exclusively for the MSC Foundation and performed by the Piccolo Coro dell’Antoniano. The song was unveiled at a special concert on board MSC World Europa in Genoa, where 1,000 children, families, and cruise guests joined in the festivities.
Now a highlight of the MSC Foundation Day parade across all Cruise Division vessels, the track is also available on Spotify, spreading its message of love for the sea to an even wider audience.
Listen on Spotify Scan the QR code to enjoy the song.
MSC FOUNDATION ON EXPLORA II
NEW MSC FOUNDATION AREA ON EXPLORA II
In September, the MSC Foundation opened its dedicated Area on board Explora II, further strengthening its commitment to raising environmental awareness at sea. The Foundation now has Areas on 2 Explora Journeys ships and Centres on 6 MSC Cruises vessels , designed to engage guests of all ages in caring for
and preserving our blue planet and its inhabitants. This new space offers an immersive experience while also enabling guests to connect with our MSC Foundation Host, who is there to inspire and guide them through our programmes and the impact they are having on people and the planet.
Marine Encounters, a stunning exhibition of 28 limited-edition marine photographs, was unveiled by Prince Hussain Aga Khan at the Explora II’s Galleria d’Arte
For over three decades, he has been a paragon of conservationist leadership, dedicating himself to safeguarding our planet’s most fragile ecosystems through innovative, sustainable initiatives. His visionary approach and unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship set a new benchmark for excellence, inspiring communities and future generations alike.
Prince Hussain Aga Khan has used his photography to inspire a love of nature and encourage responsible behaviour towards natural resources. He has adeptly harnessed the evocative power of photography to mobilise public engagement, using visually compelling narratives to shine a spotlight on environmental conservation.
Officially inaugurated at the Naming Ceremony of Explora II in September, the collection captures the beauty and fragility of marine life, from coral reefs to the deep sea, while emphasising the importance of conservation and inspiring action.
This curated collection of limited-edition signed prints was gifted to the MSC Foundation, cementing collaboration with his non-profit organisation, Focused on Nature, based on a mutual dedication to environmental conservation and education, and celebration of the magic of the ocean.
With proceeds from the sale of these exclusive prints directed to funding marine science university students in The Bahamas, we are bringing ocean advocacy to life through the power of photography.
I’m very grateful and feel blessed to be showing my work in this beautiful space onboard Explora II. My mission is to show people what’s out there — the diversity, beauty, fascinating behaviour, intelligence — and try to make them fall in love with fauna, flora and habitats. At the very least encourage them to care! But also to highlight the terrible decline, threats, some of the solutions … and changes we can make in our own behaviours.
PRINCE HUSSAIN AGA KHAN Photographer and Founder of Focused on Nature
OCEAN LITERACY IN FOCUS
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) defines ocean literacy as “an understanding of the ocean’s influence on you and your influence on the ocean”.It empowers individuals and communities with knowledge to make informed decisions, support conservation efforts, and promote sustainable practices.
UNESCO’s Ocean Literacy for All initiative and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) aim to enhance public understanding of the ocean’s role in sustainability. Key elements of these frameworks for action include education and awareness, collaboration and capacity-building and science communication.
Every year, the MSC Foundation engages with cruise guests of all ages through our MSC Foundation Day for children and at dedicated spaces on 8 ships, generously gifted by the MSC Group. Here, more than four million cruise guests can learn about the Foundation and its strong focus on marine conservation.
In 2024, the Foundation strengthened its onboard engagement working with Mission Blue and its university partners for coral restoration at Ocean Cay to develop new educational materials and games used by MSC Foundation Representatives and MSC Cruises’ on board staff to foster ocean awareness in their activities with young guests.
MSC FOUNDATION ON BOARD MSC CRUISES AND EXPLORA JOURNEYS SHIPS
The MSC Foundation, as a Hope Spot Champion for Ocean Cay, is leading by example-restoring critical marine habitats and engaging guests in the protection of our blue planet.
Mission Blue’s partnership with the MSC Foundation exemplifies how combining a concrete seagrass restoration initiative with targeted educational programs can foster marine stewardship among millions of travellers. These efforts not only educate but also empower individuals to take meaningful action in their own lives.
Engaging cruise guests presents a unique opportunity to enhance ocean literacy on a global scale. As the Godmother of Explora I, the first ship of Explora Journeys, I recognise the immense potential to inspire passengers about ocean preservation and sustainable practices.
By leveraging the influence of cruise lines and their vast reach, we can cultivate a global community of informed ocean advocates. With every voyage, we have the chance to highlight the beauty, fragility, and importance of the ocean, turning awareness into action and ensuring a thriving future for marine ecosystems.
ENGAGING CRUISE GUESTS FOR OCEAN LITERACY AT SCALE
DR SYLVIA EARLE President and Chairperson
Mission Blue
Vision
To restore the critical balance between people and nature within a generation
Mission
To utilise MSC’s global reach and unique knowledge of the sea to take immediate action that contributes to protecting and nurturing the blue planet and all its people
RESPONSIBLE
Our love and inherent sense of responsibility for the seas and oceans represent the core values that define the MSC Group. Nurtured over centuries of seafaring experience, they are driven by a culture of active care that comes from being a family-owned and family-run business. For us, this active responsibility is a fundamental duty, a mission to protect and care for the seas, our blue planet and all those who depend on it.
RESPONSIVE
We understand that the situation humanity faces is urgent, and that immediate intervention and change is required if we are to have a chance of restoring the critical balance between people and nature within a generation. This sense of urgency drives our responsiveness, committing us to prompt, effective action with energy and determination worldwide - leveraging our reach, scale and breadth of partnerships to make a real difference.
RESPECTFUL
Everything we do is driven by our deep care and concern for the planet: its waters, seas, oceans and, - of course - its people, both now and into the future.
This respect underpins all our efforts and actions to help build a more positive, sustainable future and a better world. Knowing we cannot do this alone leads us to welcome and encourage others to join us in our vital work.
RESOURCEFUL
MSC’s global scale and reach ensure that the Foundation can cover every corner of the world, benefitting from strong local knowledge, networks, and experience on the ground. This enables us to harness an innovative resourcefulness and respond effectively to the challenges and emergencies threatening life, growth and fulfilment on both a local and global scale.
GOVERNANCE
STRUCTURE
The work of the MSC Foundation in pursuit of its Vision, Mission and purposes is overseen by the Foundation Board with the supervision of the Swiss Supervisory Authority in Bern, the support of the Secretariat, the independent Advisory Board and regular external auditing of finances.
THE FOUNDATION BOARD AND ITS COMMITTEES
The Board is the Foundation’s supreme authority, overseeing its development and providing strategic direction.
The Board meets twice yearly to consider strategic matters, analyse programme progress, assess new initiatives and validate the operational approaches followed.
It is composed of six members:
Gianluigi Aponte
Chair of the Board
Alexa Aponte Vago
Vice Chair of the Board, Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee
Pierfrancesco Vago
Chair of the Executive Committee
Elâ Soyuer Aponte
Member of the Finance Committee
Rafaela Diamant
Member of the Board
Diego Aponte
MSC Group President
The Board’s Finance Committee and Executive Committee ensure that decisions are effectively implemented.
THE ADVISORY BOARD
The Advisory Board of independent senior experts acts as a resource to ensure the Foundation’s effectiveness and sustainable development. It provides strategic guidance on programmes, science, partnerships and project evaluation and the development of new activities.
Matthew McKinnon
Chair
Prof. David Smith
Chief Scientific Advisor, Professor of Marine Biology at the University of Essex (UK), Chief Marine Scientist Mars Inc.
Carl Gustaf Lundin
Senior Vice President at Leidar and Ocean Sustainability Advisor
Mike Horn
Professional Explorer
THE SECRETARIAT
The Secretariat performs administrative, finance and operational functions, and is responsible for the day-to-day management, supervision and implementation of the Foundation’s initiatives and programmes, including their Monitoring and Evaluation.
Daniela Picco
Executive Director
Marina Anselme
Secretary General
The Secretariat team includes professionals working at our Geneva headquarters, Ocean Cay and on board MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys ships. It also benefits from the support of MSC Group services and divisions and committed volunteers.
Board of Directors
Determines direction and controls
Advisory Board
Provides independent advice
Executive Committee Develops activity and work plans
Ernst & Young is the MSC Foundation’s external auditor, appointed in accordance with applicable legal provisions to review its accounts and submitting a detailed report to the Board.
CONNECTIONS & NETWORKING
The Foundation actively networked to strengthen relationships with advisors, community leaders and others, to build synergies, enhance our programmes and leverage our philanthropic commitments.
ASSOCIATIONS AND NETWORKS
• International Coral Reef Initiative
• SwissFoundations
• CAF America
• Transnational Giving Europe
RESEARCH AND ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS
• Nova Southeastern University
• University of Miami
• Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute
• University of The Bahamas
• Perry Institute for Marine Science
OUR ORGANIZATION
The MSC Foundation serves as the philanthropic arm of the MSC Group, operating independently yet coherently within its global network. As a non-profit entity registered in Switzerland, we are committed to serving the public good, addressing the multifaceted challenges faced by our blue planet and its inhabitants.
Guided by the exemplary standards set by our Board, our young foundation is both ambitious and forward-looking, focusing our resources on achieving the maximum enduring impact for our planet and its people, including in pursuit of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
As a grantmaker , we allocate most of our funds to supporting carefully selected programmes and initiatives, developed in partnership with global and local organisations leading in their fields. As an implementing foundation, we directly manage the Super Coral Reefs Programme in The Bahamas, focusing on coral reef restoration, marine science, education, and public awareness.
We believe our unique position enables us to set new benchmarks for partnership and impact in marine conservation.
THE CARE IN OUR PROGRAMMES
We carefully select programmes for the long run, identifying partners that are leaders in their fields.
We work with them to refine project proposals to achieve maximum impact, based on relevance, innovation, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness criteria.
We regularly monitor implementation, assess progress, and evaluate results.
OUR GRANTMAKING PROCESS
All our agreements are reviewed by the Legal Office to ensure their compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements and their adherence to ethical standards. 1 3 5 6 4 2
The MSC Foundation invites organisations to submit a proposal or a concept note.
Application: once a project has been selected, its applicant submits a concrete project proposal (Grant Application Package) that includes detailed information on the background of the project, its target group, and its planned activities, objectives and results framework, along with a detailed project budget.
Preliminary selection by the Secretariat to consider the partner organisation envisaged, and to determine if the project concept is consistent with our funding guidelines, criteria and project resources, and is likely to meet its intended objectives. The Advisory Board, which meets twice a year, assesses the application package and makes a recommendation to the Board. The Board approves applications once a year.
Emergency relief initiatives follow a different process.
The Secretariat manages the implementation phase, monitoring & evaluation, and progress & final project reports.
2024 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
100%
OF EXTERNAL DONATIONS GO DIRECTLY TO OUR PROGRAMMES & INITIATIVES
ALLOCATED TO OUR PROGRAMMES AND INITIATIVES IN 2024 CHF 7,377,349(*)
REPRESENTING AN 85%
increase in allocations over 2023, and a 29% increase in the number of programmes and initiatives
54 PROGRAMMES & INITIATIVES 40 COUNTRIES
13 EMERGENCIES OPERATIONS 12 COUNTRIES
5 NEW PARTNERSHIPS
136,180 people reached, of which
39,260 affected by emergencies
*These financial highlights cover the period Jan-Dec 2024. Audited MSC Foundation financial statements are available on request.
A FULL GROUP FUNDING COMMITMENT
1
2
All the administrative costs of the MSC Foundation are covered by the MSC Group, ensuring that the MSC Foundation directs 100% of external donations and retail proceeds directly to programmes and initiatives
3
The MSC Foundation benefits greatly from the in-kind, expert and administrative support of the MSC Group. This includes time and services provided regularly by the technical and operations departments and the costs borne by the Group for office space and equipment.
4
The Group provides dedicated spaces for our 6 MSC Foundation Centres on MSC Cruises ships and 2 MSC Foundation Areas on Explora Journeys vessels, allowing us to maximise onboard fundraising and awareness-raising efforts through the continuous development of new activities and materials for kids and teens involved in the MSC Foundation Day.
The Foundation’s resources significantly benefit from the MSC Group’s fundmatching of onboard donations made by MSC Cruises guests, amplifying the impact of their generosity.
TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
We are committed to providing clear, timely information on our finances and grantmaking efforts.
Our financial statements undergo a voluntary independent audit by the company Ernst & Young.
We regularly publish detailed information in our annual reports.
2024 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
PROGRAMMES AND INITIATIVES
In 2024, the 6th operational year of the MSC Foundation, we allocated a total of CHF 7,377,349 to programmes and initiatives, representing an 85% increase over 2023.
The MSC Foundation’s grants were distributed as follows:
The Foundation also renewed long-term support for its Super Coral Reefs Programme and key partners:
1. The SUPER CORAL REEFS PROGRAMME implemented directly by the Foundation in The Bahamas with 2 longstanding and 3 new marine science partners.
2. UNICEF: From Plastic Bricks to Classrooms and the Yoma community support programmes in Côte d’Ivoire.
3. MAREVIVO: Nauticinblu and Guardian Dolphins education programmes in Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal.
4. MERCY SHIPS: Ships of Hope in Sierra Leone and Madagascar, reinforced by a significant donation for the construction of a new hospital ship, the Atlantic Mercy, expected to be service in 2029.
We strengthened programmes to advance marine protection, ocean science and ecosystem restoration with 4 new partners, including Mission Blue, the University of The Bahamas, The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute and Perry Institute for Marine Science.
The significant increase in funding for community support is due mainly to a significant donation for a new five-year partnership with the Fondation privée des Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève and the Université de Genève to support cutting-edge translational research and establish a unique national digital biobank for cancer patients.
Throughout the year, the MSC Foundation supported emergency operations and local initiatives with in-kind donations of ocean shipping and containers thanks to our cooperation of the MSC Group.
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company and MSC Cruises supported our efforts in 25 and 5 different initiatives respectively.
The MSC Group reaffirmed its commitment to match every onboard donation made by cruise guests, strengthening the Foundation’s capacity to effectively implement, monitor and assess the effective implementation of programmes and initiatives.
INCOME
Total income was CHF 10,179,094 in 2024.
The MSC Group remained the MSC Foundation’s primary source of income (65%), partly through matching of the individual donations made by cruise guests and partly by providing additional funds to support specific programmes, e.g. GTOP, Mercy Ships.
Individual donations
Individual donations (onboard, other individuals) represented 23% of total revenue, with the majority coming from guests on MSC Group Cruise Division vessels (97%).
Corporate donations
Corporate donations (others than MSC) represented 6% of total revenue.
MSC Foundation merchandise
Merchandise sales in 2024 represented 6% of the Foundation’s total revenue.
EXPENDITURE
The MSC Foundation allocated 100% of its income from external sources to support its programmes, initiatives and emergency relief operations around the world.
Operations and programmes accounted for 83% of expenditures, of which 2% was for on board activities.
General & Administration costs totalling 17% included 14% for staffing and travel and 3% for advocacy and communication. These were entirely assumed by the MSC Group.
EYES ON THE FUTURE
INVESTMENTS AND STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS FOR TOMORROW
In reflecting on 2024, MSC Foundation’s vision for ocean health has come into sharper focus in times of intensifying pressures on marine ecosystems and our blue planet. As a corporate foundation with an unparalleled and unprecedented global reach, MSC Foundation has an increasingly vital role to play in a world of shrinking financial contributions to development and environmental issues from traditional government donors.
With the Advisory Board helping to consolidate the position of the foundation this past year through a reinforced role in the evaluation of new projects, we are ensuring the optimised alignment of our key investments with the ambitious vision of recalibrating the balance between people and nature within a generation.
Through rigorous stocktaking and analysis –enriched by critical insights from our Coral Experts Workshop – we are refining our strategic priorities to maximise impact while ensuring our contributions remain adaptive, targeted, and aligned with our long-term vision.
Gathering leading global, regional and national partners in The Bahamas, we also created the launchpad for the success of our innovative, flagship project at Ocean Cay. As we unveil our new coral-focused Marine Conservation Center there in 2025, a critical new chapter in our story unfolds–aimed at unlocking industry potential for marine protection. Specifically, we inch closer to realising the first ever at-scale pairing of a major tourism destination to the concrete protection of coral reefs for the future.
As we step into a pivotal year of 2025 for Oceans and biodiversity, with the third-ever UN Ocean Conference and COP30 being hosted by Brazil in the Amazon itself, the Foundation is now better positioned than ever to drive meaningful change.
MATTHEW MCKINNON Chair of the Advisory Board MSC Foundation
Thank you!
Thank you for joining with us on this voyage to leave the world a better place for future generations.
To our Donors n To MSC Foundatio Board
To MSC Cruises Guests
To our MSC Colleagues around the world, Onboard and Ashore
To MSC Group for its Support
To our Partner Organisations To our Volunteers
To the Advisory Board Members
Thank you for joining with us on this voyage to leave the world a better place for future generations.
To our Donors n To MSC Foundatio Board
To MSC Cruises Guests
To our MSC Colleagues around the world, Onboard and Ashore
All rights reserved. This report or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the MSC Foundation except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
