Columbia Ship Management Ltd

Columbia Shipmanagement in Cyprus since 1978
Our story began in 1978, with the establishment of the company in Limassol, Cyprus. Just as a Master Mariner identifies the characteristics of a quality port, Mr. Heinrich Schoeller identified with the uniqueness of Cyprus to begin Columbia. The company started with the crewing of chemical tankers and reefer vessels. In 1979, the first full management vessels from foreign owners were taken under contract.

With Captain Dirk Fry joining Columbia as Managing Director in 1980, Columbia had an office staff of 35 and a total of 16 ships under full management and 45 ships under crew management.

"Columbia's growth and expansion over the years is attributed to the uniqueness of Cyprus; being the island's strategic position at the crossroads of three continents, its comprehensive legal framework, double tax treaties regime, communication system, banking system, infrastructure in general and last but not least its highly educated labor force.”

Captain Dirk Fry, Columbia Ship Management Ltd.

Columbia's fleet of managed vessels includes container ships, reefer vessels, bulk carriers, chemical tankers, product tankers, crude tankers, heavy lift vessels, ro/ro, general cargo vessels and luxury liners.

Columbia's services are offered on a modular basis to suit each client's specific needs. The two main service packages are full (technical and crew) management and part (crew) management. Additionally, Columbia covers a wide spectrum of activities in various related sectors of the shipmanagement industry and offers shipowners a comprehensive and complete service including: ship operations, chartering, sales & purchases, newbuilding supervision, and consultancy services.

Columbia serves these sectors from its headquarters in Limassol, as well as from offices in Hamburg, Singapore, Rotterdam, Southampton, Oslo, Manila, Tokyo, St. Petersburg, Rijeka, Riga, Odessa, Batumi and Athens.

Why Cyprus?
Columbia's growth and expansion over the years is attributed to the uniqueness of Cyprus being the island's strategic position at the crossroads of three continents, its comprehensive legal framework, double tax treaties regime, communication system, banking system, infrastructure in general and last but not least its highly educated labor force.

A prominent factor in the spectacular development of the shipmanagement industry in Cyprus is the government's positive contribution/approach towards a number of the sector's issues such as legislation. Over the years, Columbia Shipmanagement Ltd has grown into one of the world's largest independent ship managers and dynamic organizations with more than 13,000 employees worldwide.

Columbia Shipmanagement in Cyprus today
Columbia has been a forerunner in the promotion of quality assurance in shipping since its inauguration with the quality of services provided to clients being one of the main founding corporate guidelines. Today, Columbia through its Cyprus-based head office, provides full management and crewing services for more than 400 vessels including 100 ships in technical management.

Amongst Columbia's clients are some well known and reputable owners/operators such as NYK Line, Nordic American Tanker Shipping, Cunard Line, Hapag Lloyd, Kristian Jerhard Jebsen and The Sanko Steamship Co. Ltd.

Columbia's corporate guidelines reflect the company's commitment to:

Provide high quality services according to a quality assurance system in compliance with ISM, ISO 9001 and ISO 14001.
Recognize that human resources both on shore and on board are key elements in a quality operation.
Place the highest priority on safety and security of persons and protection of property as well as conservation of the environment.
Listening and working with our staff -"High Seas Project".

www.columbia.com.cy