While much of the industry continues to warn of a growing seafarer shortage, Columbia Group says it is not experiencing the same pressure, reporting stable crewing levels across its global fleet.
We are well-positioned with our current pool of seafarers, said Simona Toma, Chief of Maritime HR at Columbia Group. “What we are seeing is a clear change in what seafarers want. Tankers, offshore units and cruise ships are now preferred by many younger officers and crew who value competitive pay, shorter rotations and opportunities for growth in more specialised or dynamic environments."
Ms Toma explained that each vessel type offers its own appeal, from the technical challenges and advanced systems of tankers and offshore units to the social, multicultural experience of working on cruise ships. She said: “Today’s crew expect both professional satisfaction and personal wellbeing.”
As part of its transformation from traditional crewing to a Maritime HR philosophy, Columbia places the seafarer at the centre of every decision, aligning recruitment, training, welfare and career progression under one strategy. A key focus area is training crews in LNG operations and alternative fuels, building competence and confidence for a rapidly changing energy landscape. Columbia’s investment in this specialised training reflects its view that LNG knowledge will form the foundation for working safely with future fuels such as ammonia and hydrogen.
Ms Toma said: “We have the people, but we also have a responsibility to prepare them for what comes next, whether that is working with new fuels, adapting to digital systems or developing stronger leadership at sea. The conversation should evolve into how we invest in people so they can evolve with the industry.”
Simona Toma, Chief of Maritime HR at Columbia Group
Columbia is continuing to strengthen leadership and resilience training across its network, building a confident, safety-driven and future-ready workforce.
Ms Toma added: “Technology will keep changing, but human judgement remains the strongest safeguard onboard any vessel. Our goal is to empower seafarers to thrive, not just to fill positions. Seafarers today have more choice than ever and our role is to make sure every choice feels worthwhile.”
