Columbia Shipmanagement (CSM) has strengthened its operations in Turkey with a deal to run the fleet of Istanbul owner Transoba Denizcilik.
The Schoeller-owned manager said the deal underlined its commitment to the Turkish market after opening an office there last year.
The Turkish bulker company was set up by the Transoba family in 1994 and owns three supramaxes built in 2010, 2011 and 2013.
Columbia will take on ship management duties for the company.
The group will also supply and manage multinational crews, with Turkish masters and engineers.
CSM Turkiye and CSM Deutschland will work together to ensure smooth operations, CSM said.
Transoba can draw on the manager’s digitalisation services, ensuring vessels are compliant with the most recent carbon intensity and rating systems.
Xanthos Kyriacou, regional managing director of Columbia Group, called Transoba an esteemed operator.
The two companies’ visions align, he added.
“This partnership further cements our commitment to the Turkish market,” Kyriacou said.
Global advantage
CSM offers full technical and crew management services.
Seafarers also gain access to support services, such as mental health and training through Columbia’s partner OneCare Group, while Columbia Finance can provide stakeholders in the Turkish market with the necessary project equity.
Captain Ahmet Gider, operation manager at Transoba, said: “The global procurement advantage of working with Columbia puts us ahead of the game, and we look forward to a long-lasting working relationship with CSM.”
Columbia Group chief executive Mark O’Neil has previously said that the Turkish division’s blueprint was all about “working with our stakeholders, our clients and our friends, side-by-side, supporting their ability to grow through the delivery of Columbia Group services”.
