Columbia Shipmanagement has introduced new initiatives around mental health and in promoting diversity, its chief executive says.
At a time the British royal family have helped catapult awareness of mental health issues to public prominence, Columbia will become one of the first shipping companies to introduce dedicated psychological support.
It is set to roll-out a project where a psychologist will be available on the telephone around the clock for crew and shore staff who may require assistance.
From there, future support can be delivered, if required, Mark O’Neil explains.
“Even in this whole digitalisation process, people are at the heart of what we do,” he says.
“That is people in our offices, onboard vessels and people as represented by our clients.”
Raising awareness
He cites one possible scenario where a crew member suffering mental health issues onboard a ship could represent both a safety and commercial issue.
“There is a huge commercial responsibility but also a personal responsibility,” he says, noting that staff would also be given training on how to recognise issues arising in colleagues and offer initial help.
O’Neil says the initiative may take time to gain traction, but it has been introduced at a time social attitudes to mental health have shifted and many people feel more comfortable talking about the matter.
At the same time, Columbia — a company where women account for 52% of the workforce — has introduced a new diversity campaign.
Stage one includes a new mentor scheme and membership to the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association to encourage staff to learn from successful women.
Diversity inclusive
“There are lots of other initiatives around this issue in the company, involving men as well,” O’Neil says. “The challenge here is to educate men and well as women as to the need for diversity and the advantages that brings to the organisation.
He adds the project has been rolled out at its three main offices and has gained widespread support.
“Everybody has thrown their weight behind it as the first step in a much wider celebration of diversity,” O’Neil says. “I believe we have 27 different nationalities in our company and that needs to be celebrated. We need to tap into everybody’s skills sets.”
