Columbia Shipmanagement (CSM) is strengthening its presence in the Middle East with a new office in Dubai.
The “strategic expansion” is intended to complement CSM’s existing activities in Saudi Arabia in order to strengthen the shipping industry and promote partnerships in the region, according to the statement. CSM Dubai is located in one of the most important maritime centres in the world and is ideally positioned to play an important role in the Middle East’s maritime sector. [ds_preview]
According to Columbia Shipmanagement, the new office will offer the full range of Columbia Group’s integrated maritime services, with diverse support for all stakeholders as well as comprehensive second-party technical services and crew management.
CSM Dubai will reportedly offer ship digitalisation and optimisation services through the Columbia platform, in addition to procurement, training, catering, crew welfare and newbuilding consultancy. The location is also a “springboard” for the new company’s expansion into the luxury aviation, superyacht and cruise management sectors in Dubai, it said.
Xanthos Kyriacou, Regional Managing Director at Columbia Group, said: “Dubai’s role as a dynamic maritime hub and our established relationships in the area make it the ideal location for our new office.”
“Enormous potential for Columbia”
“The city’s prime location enhances our connectivity with key players in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. In addition, Dubai’s advanced logistics infrastructure and the presence of a diverse maritime community with state-of-the-art facilities fit perfectly with our goals to evolve and lead in supporting local partners through our maritime services platform,” Kyriacou added.
Mark O’Neil, CEO of Columbia Group, commented on the expansion: “The UAE’s maritime industry offers tremendous potential, not only in ship management but also for Columbia Group’s integrated maritime services platform in the region. The new office in Dubai will allow us to deepen our relationships and explore new business opportunities, underlining our commitment to growth and excellence both in the region and globally.”
By the end of 2023, Columbia Shipmanagement had expanded its network in Northern Europe through the establishment of two subsidiaries and had previously opened a new crewing location in Vietnam.
