Claudio Bozzo of Mediterranean Shipping Company to receive December 2014 CONNIE Award

The Containerization & Intermodal Institute (CII) will present the 2014 Connie Award to Claudio Bozzo, President and CEO of Mediterranean Shipping Company (USA), for his leadership in developing his company into one of the largest and successful container shipping ocean carriers. In addition, a Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Joseph Bonney, Senior Editor of the Journal of Commerce, for his dedication to journalism excellence in covering the maritime industry for more than 30 years.

The Connie Luncheon will be held Monday, December 8, 2014 at the Metropolitan Room at the Newark Club. “Since being assigned to lead MSC in to the United States, Claudio Bozzo, who is just 47, has been instrumental in guiding the carrier as it expanded substantially to become one of the world’s top shipping companies,” said Michael DiVirgilio, President of CII. “We recognize MSC’s ability to position itself to compete globally in the 21st century with investments in ports and other support industries that impact our business.” In 1994, Mr. Bozzo joined MSC in New York City as a clerk in the intermodal department. From there, he moved up the ranks and managed almost all the departments at the company. It was in 2005 that Mr. Bozzo was appointed President and CEO and has been in that position since. Under Mr. Bozzo’s leadership, MSC now employs 1200 people in the U.S. MSC is now the second largest steamship line in the world and the largest carrier of containerized cargo in the U.S. The company now also operates one of the fastest growing cruise ship companies in the world. A native of Genoa, Italy, Mr. Bozzo attended a local university and began his career as an office manager at Reale Mutua Assicurazioni. He later joined Columbus Travel to develop the Turkish and Caribbean Market The recipient of many industry awards, Mr. Bozzo is an active leader in the Italian community, serving as the President of the Italian American Chamber of Commerce, President of all Italian Chambers in the NAFTA Area, and President of the European Chamber of Commerce. Joe Bonney has held a variety of editorial positions at the JOC, including managing editor, editor-in-chief, columnist and Gulf Coast correspondent. He also has been managing editor of American Shipper magazine, a newsman with the Associated Press, and a reporter and business editor at The Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Miss., in addition to a stint at Lykes Bros. Steamship Co. He is co-author of “The Box That Changed The World,” a history of containerized shipping published in 2006 by the JOC and CII. “Joe Bonney’s passion for the international transportation industry can be seen in his macro view of any topic or assignment he undertakes,” said Mr. DiVirgilio. “He works with integrity and has earned the respect of the industry he covers.” In addition to the Connie Award, CII will carry out its industry education mission by presenting scholarships to university students and maritime academy cadets. This includes awarding the Thomas B. Crowley Memorial Scholarships to midshipmen at the US Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY and other monetary awards to students studying for a career in the logistics industry at area schools. Companies may opt to sponsor named scholarships for as little as $1000. Under the auspices of CII, more than $550,000 has been awarded since 1992. CII is dedicated to promoting the international intermodal industry in education outreach. Scholarship opportunities, tickets and sponsorships are available from Barbara Yeninas, Executive Director, at (732) 817-9131 or [email protected].