Japanese shipping and logistics group, MOL, has established a subsidiary in Genoa with operations beginning this month.

The setting up of MOL Italia comes in response to the strong growth in the Asia-Mediterranean sea trade. Previously, MOL provided a variety of ocean shipping services through Prosper Agenzia Maritima, its sole agency in Italy for many years.

"With a branch office in Italy, MOL will be much better positioned to respond to customer needs, improve service quality and offer full network coverage," a company statement said.

MOL Italia will have a head office in Genoa and an office in Milan, which will be under the control of Rotterdam-based MOL (Europe) BV. MOL Italia will employee initially 30 staff under the direction of managing director Frederic Malevialle.

The new agency will retain Prosper employees to ensure a smooth operational transfer from the old to new sole agency.

Currently, MOL offers three regular weekly container services between Italy and Asia and a weekly service between South Africa and Italy via rail connections to Rotterdam.