Columbia Group has joined forces with long-term partner Pan Marine Shipping Services to establish a new shipmanagement venture in Egypt.
The joint company, Columbia Pan Marine Ship Management Egypt, will act as Columbia’s official office in the country, offering the full range of services provided by Columbia Shipmanagement and the wider Columbia Group.
The move deepens Columbia’s presence in a key maritime hub and builds on its cooperation with Pan Marine, which began in 2023, the group said.
“Egypt has always been a country of immense maritime and energy importance, and this new venture allows us to work more closely with local talent and institutions,” said Philippos Ioulianou, Columbia Group’s director of energy and renewables.
The partners have already rolled out training and recruitment programmes for Egyptian seafarers, along with initiatives on environmental compliance, alternative fuels, and digital fleet management systems.
Marwan El Shazly, vice president marketing and contracts of Pan Marine Group, said the venture reflects Egypt’s strong seafaring tradition and will “build sustainable careers for Egyptian maritime professionals and raise the bar for maritime services within the region.”
Columbia added that the new unit supports its strategy of localisation, digitalisation, and sustainability, while strengthening Egypt’s role as a link between Europe, Africa and Asia in both shipping and energy transition activities.
Earlier this year, Columbia also established a joint venture, Noatum – CSM, with Abu Dhabi-based ports and logistics giant AD Ports Group. The JV will aim to optimise third-party vessel operations and those of AD Ports Group’s fleet.
Pan Marine and Columbia have been actively collaborating since 2023. Since then, the partnership has delivered high-impact results across various areas:
- Enhanced Crew Management and Training: Customised training programmes have been introduced for Egyptian seafarers, leveraging Columbia’s global expertise to ensure compliance with international regulations and the highest operational standards.
- Seafarer Educational Programmes: Tailored initiatives have been launched to educate young Egyptians on career opportunities within the maritime industry, with a focus on skill-building, safety, and operational excellence.
- Targeted Recruitment Campaigns: Joint recruitment efforts are actively attracting top Egyptian maritime talent through a combination of local outreach and digital platforms, leveraging on Pan Marine’s local knowledge and access to qualified and motivated Egyptian professionals.
- Emission Control and Environmental Compliance: In alignment with global sustainability goals, the partnership has introduced training modules focused on emission control technologies and environmental regulations, including IMO 2020 sulphur cap compliance and energy efficiency measures. Crew members are now trained in the use of alternative fuels, and emissions monitoring systems, ensuring vessels operate within the latest environmental standards.
- Advancements in Ship Management Systems: The collaboration has also driven the adoption of cutting-edge ship management technologies. These include integrated fleet management platforms, predictive maintenance tools, and real-time performance monitoring systems. These innovations not only enhance operational efficiency but also contribute to safer and more sustainable maritime operations.
