Schoeller-owned Columbia Group continues to improve its access to seafarers from Asia with a new manning agency in Vietnam.
The ship manager said the establishment of Columbia Shipmanagement Vietnam (CSM Vietnam) satisfies its “long-standing ambition” to tap into the developing Vietnam seafarers’ market with direct access.
“Whilst CSM has been employing Vietnam seafarers for years via third-party arrangements, possessing its own manning agency in Vietnam for this purpose marks a crucial step for Columbia’s far-reaching initiatives in Vietnam and Asia, more generally,” the Mark O’Neil-led company said.
Columbia said Vietnam boasts a wealth of developments and investments in the maritime sector, with a fleet that has doubled since 2005.
“Its strong domestic demand and exports have resulted in promising gains in employment, income and confidence, contributing to Vietnam’s predicted growth and thriving maritime ecosystem,” Columbia said.
“This local presence offers an opportunity for Columbia to build on and consolidate a loyal and highly qualified crew pool, enabling greater emphasis on training and career development.”
O’Neil said the expansion into Vietnam was a natural step for Columbia to take and invest in creating employment for its people and a general interest in a career at sea.
“CSM Vietnam is another important step on Columbia’s ‘march eastwards’ and echoes the growth ambitions of the group in general,” he added.
In late August 2023, Columbia announced it was tapping into Indonesia as a source of seafarers with the formation of Columbia Shipmanagement Indonesia.
Like Vietnam, the Indonesian commercial fleet has doubled in size since 2005, with shipping-related business emerging as a leading part of the economy, according to Columbia.
