LONDON, March 19 (Reuters) - Container shipping giant

Mediterranean Shipping Company is to buy 50% stake in South

Korean shipping firm Sinokor, according to a public filing in

Cyprus.

After the acquisition MSC will jointly control Sinokor with

Mr. Ga-Hyun Chung, who holds the entire share capital of

Sinokor, the filing said.

Sinokor became a key player in the very large crude carrier,

or VLCC, segment of the tanker market by acquiring several

VLCCs, according to maritime data provider Veson Nautical.

The Swiss-headquartered MSC shipping empire is controlled by

the Italian billionaire Gianluigi Aponte and his family.

The MSC Group, MSC's parent company, will buy Sinokor shares

via its subsidiary SAS Shipping Agencies Services, according to

the filing.

MSC did not immediately respond to a request for comment.