SAINT JOHN – Officials at the Saint John Port are gushing over word that a global container shipping company is expanding its calls to the city.

Mediterranean Shipping Company, or MSC, has decided to increase its shipping frequency from bi-weekly to weekly.

Earlier this year, the company became the first global container shipper to call on the city in more than 25 years.

Port President Jim Quinn says it’s a case of a business expanding to meet the needs of its customers.

“They’ve been building their business,” Quinn says. “They’ve been working with various cargo owners….to see what arrangements can be made to increase the volumes.”

MSC is regarded as the second-largest container shipping company in the world.

Quinn says the new weekly schedule will begin next month.