Columbia Shipmanagement (CSM) has struck a deal to manage Chinese-owned and operated ships in the fleet of Hong Kong-listed Seacon Shipping Group.

The companies said the cooperation agreement will see the vessels managed by CSM’s operation in Greece.

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Mark O’Neil, the chief executive of CSM parent Columbia Group, couched the arrangement as a way to bring the ship manager’s digital optimisation to the Chinese market.

“We look forward to working with Seacon Shipping and see this as the start of a compelling regional proposition and offering, which provides a tailored, win-win solution for all stakeholders,” he said in a statement.

“By utilising the digital power of our highly effective industry-leading Performance Optimisation Control Room coupled with our group-wide digital technology, we will be able to drive enhanced value to Seacon Shipping’s bottom line.”

The companies did not say how many vessels will be involved in the cooperation agreement, but a representative of Seacon said the firms are so far cooperating on just one vessel.

Clarksons lists seven bulkers and tankers in the Seacon’s owned fleet. VesselsValue lists 51 owned ships across the group, including Seacon Ships Management and an array of bulkers, tankers container ships and offshore vessels. The VesselsValue database also says Seacon has 71 ships under commercial management and 73 under technical management — figures that include the owned ships.

The companies said the deal involves all types of vessels, with a particular focus on Chinese-owned LPG carriers, LNG ships and product tankers.

The Cyprus-headquartered Columbia Group will also provide maritime, logistics, renewables and leisure services to Seacon.

Mark O’Neil (left) is chief executive of Columbia Group. Photo: Columbia

O’Neil said Seacon will bring to the arrangement its regional expertise and practices, as well as a network in China that includes leasing companies and charterers.

“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,” said Seacon Ships Management president Zhao Yong.

“The combination of the two sides will elevate Seacon’s concept of ‘international standards and local advantages’ to a new altitude and bring new momentum to the development of the global shipping industry.”

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