I worked for Columbia on a cruise ship. I did not like the experience and left after six weeks at my own expense. Before that, the company had not allowed me to leave until I was almost a month short of completing the contract.
I completed all the required tests and interviews for a cadet position. They called me about an available vacancy and required me to pass a medical examination in Odesa at my own expense. I completed the medical examination, but they never called me back; when I contacted them myself, they only kept postponing the answer. I lost time and eventually joined another company.
I worked on a Columbia-managed container ship. I was told that the contract would be four months, but in practice I stayed almost nine months before I could leave. The vessel was new, but spare-parts supply was catastrophically slow and insufficient, and the owners' attitude was poor. Internet cost $100 per 1 GB.
I am currently working through Columbia on a 100,000 dwt crude oil tanker managed by the company. Internet access is extremely poor: there are 20 passwords per month, each providing 100 MB, and one password can be used for only 90 minutes per day. The connection is so slow that banking and even basic messaging are difficult. I have been on board for a month and would not recommend joining a Columbia-managed vessel if there is another option.
This was my first contract with CSM on a bulk carrier managed by CTM. I have been on board for one month and everything is satisfactory so far. Starlink internet is limited to 10 GB per month with no option to buy more, while bottled water is provided free of charge at three blocks per month.
I received my travel expenses only after the contract, and the final allotment was delayed by one and a half months. I decided to say goodbye to Columbia.
I worked for Columbia for almost three years. If you start as a rating, you will most likely finish as a rating because the company does not promote people from the deck department. Career progression is available mainly through the cadet program. Salaries are average, while top officers receive excellent pay.
I worked for the company for two contracts. It is a normal and stable company, and salaries were paid on time. The vessels were modern.
I worked one contract with Columbia. My salary was paid on time, the food was acceptable, and the living conditions on the 2019 tanker were good. However, the machinery was unreliable, with constant scrubber and pump leaks. I waited four months after the interview before joining, and I was signed off on time; there was no promotion from ratings except through the cadet program.
I completed all the tests and interviews, but the crewing manager then ignored me and did not answer. After 1.5 months, they finally asked whether I was at sea, even though they had initially said the joining was urgent and that people were needed immediately.
I went through the interview and tests at Columbia. The promised ASAP joining was delayed for two months, even though the vessel had already been selected. I eventually got tired of waiting and left for another company; the crewing manager stayed in contact, although not consistently.
I went through the entire selection process at Columbia: tests and an interview with a mentor. I was hoping to join them, but they kept postponing the decision for almost a month. In the end I was very disappointed and accepted a position with another company. Salaries for junior officers on tankers were below the market.
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.