In Georgia, the Economy Ministry announced on Tuesday, March 22, that the German-Cypriot ship-owning company Columbia Shipmanagement will hire at least 10 per cent more Georgian sailors on their ships.
The Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia and Columbia Shipmanagement signed a memorandum of cooperation on Tuesday, agreeing to cooperate in the fields of seafarer education, certification, and employment, as well as to increase the number of Georgian sailors employed.
Moreover, the Head of the Georgian Maritime Transport Agency, Tamar Ioseliani, called the meeting with the company’s management “specifically important,” saying Columbia Shipmanagement was “distinguished by its social conditions” and “decently employs our sailors.”
Ioseliani also said that the cooperation between the Batumi State Maritime Academy – in Georgia’s Black Sea city – and the company will also be deepened in order to give Georgian students and cadets naval internships. She went on to say that 40 students had already been chosen to participate in international navigation training and that the number will continue to rise each year.
Andreas Hadjipetrou, the Managing Director of Columbia Shipmanagement, and other company executives met with Georgian sailors and briefed them about the company’s future objectives, concentrating on the professionalism and competency of Georgian seafarers, according to Economy Minister.
Furthermore, Columbia Shipmanagement, based in Cyprus, has 14 cruising firms, handles up to 380 boats, has 20 cruise ships and yachts, and employs 15,000 people globally.
Since 1999, it has been employing Georgian sailors, and there are currently over 1,000 Georgian seafarers working for the company.
