Columbia Ship Management teams up with Crowley to access Jones Act market

Cyprus-based Columbia Ship Management (CSM) has teamed up with US-based shipping conglomerate Crowley in a bid to gain stronger access to US Jones Act shipping and markets in Latin America.

Initial services being offered by the new venture will span ship management, vessel performance optimisation and strategic procurement support.

Announcing the news, CSM said the agreement broadens both companies’ ship management solutions for customers, leveraging their extensive, industry-leading expertise across the maritime, logistics, and energy sectors.

"This partnership heralds a significant opportunity for both Columbia Group and Crowley to elevate our services and cater to the evolving needs of our customers,” said CSM President and CEO Mark O'Neil. "By synergising our strengths and similar values, Columbia Group and Crowley are poised to deliver unparalleled value and drive transformative change in the Americas market.”

James C. Fowler, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Crowley Shipping, said, “With our two safety-focused organisations, customers will be able to receive the tailored, scalable solutions they need through the global footprint of international vessel services by Columbia Group and Crowley’s strong legacy focused across supply chains for U.S., Latin America and Caribbean markets.”

Late last year Crowley announced a team-up with Seacor to form Fairwater Holdings, a 31-vessel Jones Act tanker and articulated tug barge operator.

As well as expanding its ship management offering in the Americas, Columbia Group recently became one of the founding companies behind SmartSea, an endeavour by aviation IT group SITA to copy its software and systems infrastructure model into shipping.

Columbia Group also announced an agreement with the University of Cyprus to strengthen the relationship between the two organisations. The deal includes establishing new PhD programmes as well as joint research projects, and what O’Neil described as “fostering local talent”.

As well as expanding its ship management offering in the Americas, Columbia Group recently became one of the founding companies behind SmartSea, an endeavour by aviation IT group SITA to copy its software and systems infrastructure model into shipping.