The company started trading in 1921 as "Giuseppe Messina Tabuso", a small shipping line specialising in the distribution of perishables, carried from Sicily to Northern Italy ports.

In 1929 the company changed name to "Ignazio Messina & C.", and is awarded the carriage of some postal services on behalf of the Italian Post Office towards North Africa and Libya.

In September 1987, mv Jolly Rubino is assaulted in Iran and several Crew members are injured, requiring intervention of the Italian Navy.

In 2002, mv Jolly Rubino is lost at sea close to South Africa, due to a fire that broke out in the engine room.

[9] In May 2013, mv Jolly Nero while manoeuvring within Genoa port basin, lost control hitting and tiering down the Pilot Corporation tower, killing 9 people and injuring 4.