Crew welfare top of Colombia’s agenda
(Posted on 12/11/20)
Columbia Shipmanagement (CSM) has taken the issue of seafarer care to a new level with the introduction of a series of initiatives that will promote their health, fitness and well-being to a standard not yet seen in the shipmanagement sector.
As part of its push, CSM has invested in, and is subsidising, ColumbiaCrewCare – a benefits package which offers seafarers life insurance and an investment plan for medical costs, disability provision, pension planning, or house/car purchase – all from a starting cost of €1 per day.
“ColumbiaCrewCare is a cradle to grave benefits package involving minimal and affordable contribution from the seafarer and very real benefits/investments for him or her and their families which are accessible at any time. When it comes to caring about our seafarers, we wanted to demonstrate real commitment and walking the walk as opposed to just talking about care,” said Norman Schmiedl Group Director of Crewing at Columbia.
Adopting a holistic approach to seafarer health and wellbeing, CSM has also launched its ColumbiaFit to assist its crew members get fit and ensure a healthy well-being. Not only will each crew member be equipped with his/her own fitness equipment, but a free phone app will help crew members record their weight loss and is both interactive and fun. It also gives the crew the option to sign up to fitness classes, yoga, relaxation and meditation techniques.
Research indicates that ill-health and obesity increase the risk of serious illness or death from COVID-19, so CSM has been working with its preferred catering partner MCTC to highlight the importance of nutrition and health eating. It has held a series of seafarer webinars on the issue, with the wellbeing of the seafarer always uppermost.
“We have adopted a holistic approach to the issue of the health and well-being of our seafarers; fresh, nutritious and healthy eating provided by our preferred caterer MCTC; 24/7 mental health support and professional psychological help provided by Mental Health Support Solutions; and now a respectable benefits package for each crew member no matter how junior and a corresponding commitment to fitness,” said Mark O’Neil, President and CEO of Columbia.
“Crew need to no longer feel invisible. Their welfare is very much in our sights and our number one focus. A healthy crew – healthy in body and mind – is a motivated crew, a better crew,” he added.
Latest News
Torvald Klaveness sells Klaveness Ship Management AS to OSM Thome
(Posted on 26/10/24)Torvald Klaveness has announced the sale of 100% of Klaveness Ship Management AS shares to OSM Thome... Read more
Damen delivers first of three Combi Freighters to Reederei M. Lauterjung
(Posted on 26/10/24)Damen has delivered the first of three Combi Freighters (CF) 3850 that it is building for Reederei M... Read more
New leadership team elected at INTERCARGO
(Posted on 23/10/24)INTERCARGO, the International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners, has announced significant changes... Read more
Core Power ramps up Japan operations as US$500m funding round nears completion
(Posted on 19/10/24)CORE POWER is building the world’s first Maritime Civil Nuclear Programme in the OECD with a potential... Read more
Concern over RightShip's age limit reduction for Bulker vetting inspections
(Posted on 18/10/24)The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) members have voiced deep concerns... Read more
Four Damen Combi Freighter 3850s ordered by Reederei Bernd Sibum
(Posted on 18/10/24)German family-owned shipping company, Reederei Bernd Sibum, has placed an order with Damen Shipyards... Read more
ClassNK’s world first notation for ships using green steel for NYK Bulker
(Posted on 18/10/24)ClassNK has granted the class notation ‘a-EA (GRS)’ to ‘BRIGHT QUEEN’, the bulk... Read more
Veson: Decarbonisation regulations reducing average speed of bulker fleet
(Posted on 14/10/24)Estimated carbon emissions from bulk carrier vessels have fallen by 5 million tonnes, or 2.5%, since... Read more
Danica and IMEQ collaborate for safety and wellbeing
(Posted on 14/10/24)Danica Crewing Specialists has partnered with the Innovative Maritime Emotional Intelligence Centre (... Read more
Unprecedented insight into connectivity and wellness at sea
(Posted on 08/10/24)Unique data is being used to create a series of ‘snapshots’ into the state of the maritime... Read more