Limassol-based Columbia Shipmanagement (CSM), member of Columbia Group, sealed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Hong Kong-listed shipowner and operator Seacon Shipping Group.
Seacon’s Chinese-owned and operated vessels will be managed as clients out of CSM’s Greece office.
The cooperation agreement, which was signed in Shanghai on Thursday, includes all vessel types with a particular focus on Chinese owned LPG, LNG and Product Tankers.
Under the agreement, the Columbia Group will also provide all maritime, logistics, renewable and leisure services to Seacon Shipping.
The Seacon Shipping vessels will be managed by the Greece office while CSM Shanghai will continue to operate separately and independently focusing on Chinese clients managed out of China.
Zhao Yong, president of Seacon Ships Management Group pointed out that “the cooperation between the two sides is not only the complementary of resources, technology, personnel, etc., but also the integration of Eastern and Western management culture and management concepts.”
In a busy few days for Columbia and its expanding business, earlier this week the group announced its expansion into Indonesia with the aim of delivering its manning solutions directly.
CSM Indonesia will offer manning solutions in Indonesia and its surrounding regions, diversifying the crew pool on Columbia-managed vessels.
Mark O’Neil, president and chief executive of the Columbia Group, welcomed the agreement and said it was crucial in bringing digital optimisation techniques to the Chinese ship owners.
“Seacon Shipping has also much to offer the Columbia Group in terms of regional expertise and practice. Seacon’s terrific network in China, including Chinese leasing companies and charterers, will be open to clients and partners of CSM Greece,” Mark O’Neil said.
