Columbia Group Anticipates Growth as Shipowners Relocate to UAE
Columbia Group is forecasting significant growth as more international shipowners choose to relocate their operations to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This move is expected to bolster Dubai's status as a leading maritime hub. Xanthos Kyriacou, the Middle East Regional Managing Director at Columbia Group, highlighted the exceptional progress the company has made in the region over the past year. A key development was the launch of Noatum CSM, a ship management venture formed in collaboration with Abu Dhabi's AD Ports Group. This venture has already begun managing 34 vessels and is actively seeking to expand its commercial footprint by targeting third-party tonnage. Columbia Group is also leveraging digital solutions, such as the OneLink platform, to enhance fleet performance transparency. Additionally, the company is involved in a consultancy project in Qatar and is collaborating with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia to equip a research vessel with advanced systems. 
