Columbia Group and AD Ports Group Partner to Launch Shipmanagement Venture

Columbia Group, a prominent global ship management and crew management service provider, is set to take over the management of the ocean-going fleet operated within the AD Ports Group. This new strategic partnership aims to enhance in-house fleet operations and offer service offerings for regional clients. AD Ports Group, with a portfolio of 34 terminals and a presence in over 50 countries, established its vessel operations group more than a decade ago under the name SAFEEN Group. It has since evolved into Noatum Maritime, with operations in container, dry bulk, liquid bulk, and Ro-Ro shipping, managing over 250 ocean-going vessels and a large fleet of port service vessels.

Mark O’Neil, President and CEO of Columbia Group, expressed that the partnership signifies a significant milestone in their shared vision to set new standards in maritime asset management. The newly formed entity, Noatum – CSM Limited, is a joint venture aimed at optimizing third-party vessel operations and that of AD Ports Group’s ocean-going fleet. It combines Columbia Group’s expertise in advanced fleet management systems and AI-driven performance analytics with AD Ports Group’s diverse fleet and extensive ship management experience.

Captain Ammar Mubarak Al Shaiba, CEO of Maritime & Shipping Cluster at AD Ports Group, highlighted the expansion of capabilities and the commitment to offering a holistic suite of services with exceptional operational competency and expertise. The joint venture, based in the UAE, will support day-to-day management and introduce comprehensive crew management, procurement, training, and other operational services to ensure best-in-class asset management practices. The JV will benefit from immediate access to Columbia Group’s Performance Optimisation Control Room (POCR), a digital platform designed to enhance fleet performance, predictive maintenance, and regulatory compliance through live monitoring and decision support tools.

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