I had no major problems while working with Columbia Shipmanagement. There was one delay of two weeks due to technical issues with the fiber optic cable, but it was resolved quickly. Overall, the most important thing is health and peace of mind.
I have had a terrible experience with Columbia Shipmanagement. They cut costs on everything, including drinking water, which is now charged. The internet is limited to 2GB per month, and we can't buy more. The crew is mostly untrained, and we only have one printer on board. The cargo program is outdated and inefficient. Supplies are delayed for months, and salary payments are also problematic. Recently, they reduced the advance payments to a maximum of $200, which is unacceptable. They even refused to allow us to rescue people in distress at sea, risking lives. I strongly advise avoiding this company!
I have been working on a container ship managed by Columbia Shipmanagement since last summer. Initially, we had 3GB of free internet, but now it's reduced to 2GB without the option to top up for the Captain. The food is decent, but they are trying to cut costs, and the Captain constantly has to argue about orders. Regarding work, the maintenance program Amos was only introduced for our ship after a year, and it includes many unnecessary tasks. Spare parts are sent very slowly; for example, a sensor on the main engine broke down, and they said they would send one for replacement, but no spares are provided. The ship has been sailing around Africa for a month without two non-working Oil Mist Detectors, which is supposedly a high company standard and safety first. It's been six months since our last order for consumables, meaning we only place two requests a year.
I have worked with Columbia Shipmanagement and found that their high standards are only on paper. The supply process is slow, with quarterly requests taking 3-4 months to fulfill, often resulting in inadequate equipment. Repairs during dry dock are rushed, and the ship is often sent out without proper testing. While there is internet access, it is limited. The bonus system is beneficial for top crew members, but new promotions come with reduced salaries. Overall, it seems like a training ground for inexperienced crew members who leave after a couple of contracts.
They always write that the salary is negotiable, but they won't raise it even by a dollar, even after working for 10 years in the company. There is no loyalty in terms of salary; both experienced and new employees receive the same low pay, except for the top positions. Some experienced sailors, especially those who are not promoted, have left for another company. It's sad when a fourth engineer leaves, not waiting for promotion, and ends up earning more than a third engineer in Columbia.