MEDITERRANEAN Shipping Company's first-ever brand-new containership has been sold for demolition.

The 3,300 TEU MSC Alexa, named after founder Gianluigi Aponte's daughter, was delivered by Italy's Fincantieri in 1996 and was followed by MSC Rafaela, named after Mr Aponte's wife.

Although founded in 1970 MSC had until the arrival of AMS Alexa traded entirely with second-hand ships, for which the company became and remains renowned, reports Australia Daily Cargo News.

The Swiss Italian company's second-hand purchases included many built for and/or previously serving in Australian trades, including MSC Nuria (ex Australian Venture) and MSC Mirella (ex Australian Exporter).

MSC's next newbuildings were the 4,200/4,400 TEU MSC Regina class delivered by South Korea's Hanjin from 1999, and they were followed by the nine ships of the 6750 TEU MSC Flaminia class from Daewoo from 2001.

At the time of the 1996 deliveries MSC had just 60 ships. Today the carrier controls 850 ships and moves 24.5 million TEU annually.