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OBSESSED WITH QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE

As a co-founder of the International Ship Managers Association (ISMA), Columbia was instrumental in establishing and developing the ship management industry's Quality Assurance Code both for shore-based activities and on-board the vessels. We were one of the first companies to be certified under this Code in 1992, which also includes full compliance with ISO 9001:2000 (EN 29002, ANSI/ASQS Q92 AND BS 5750 Part 2) and IMO ISM Code.

Our full management services also fulfill stringent industry requirements of such organizations as:

  • IMO
  • Classification Societies
  • OCIMF
  • Flag States

And They Are In Compliance With:

  • M.O.U for PSC inspections
  • USA Federal and State requirements relevant to OPA 90 and PSC inspection


FOCUSED ON UNINTERRUPTED SHIP OPERATIONS AND ZERO LOSSES

Columbia's Quality System embodies our philosophy of how we conduct ourselves as a business. We strive for safety, environmental protection and the protection of our clients' assets through strict controls that provide uninterrupted ship operations and zero losses. Columbia has created extensive Departmental, Shipboard and Contingency Quality Manuals that lay down in meticulous detail its quality policy and procedures both in the Company's offices and on-board each vessel.

Columbia has dedicated itself to creating this comprehensive library of manuals to ensure the Quality System is always being implemented on-board its vessels and within its offices around the world. Following is an overview of the manuals we have in place to ensure a quality operation:

Policy Statement

Every employee onboard and on shore has a copy of the Columbia policy statement. It presents the principles honored by the whole organization and is the cornerstone of our Quality System.

Quality Documentation

The Shore-based Quality Documentation consists of:

  • Main Quality Manual
  • Technical Quality Manual
  • Marine Department Manual
  • Personnel Quality Manual
  • Q.A. Dept. Quality Manual
  • IT Dept. Quality Manual
  • Insurance Claim & Documentation Quality Manual
  • Operations Department Manual
  • Emergency Contingency Manual
  • Purchasing Manual

The Shipboard Quality Documentation consists of:

  • Shipboard Quality Manual
  • Operations Manual
  • Forms Register
  • Training Manual
  • Emergency Contingency Manual
  • SOPEP
  • VRP
  • Sea Carriers Manual
  • General Circular File, System failures file, Rules File, Q.A.Bulletins Lessons to be learnt
  • Safe Navigation Manual
  • Deck & Cargo Operations Manual

The above documentation describes:

  • The organization and the policies
  • The goals and objectives of each department and services Columbia provides and the quality of these
  • The procedures covering the activities of each Department section or group and the responsibilities of individuals involved ashore and onboard ships.
  • Client relations
  • The emphasis on human resources
  • Methods to create an excellent working environment
  • Importance of Co-operation & effective communication
  • Training and motivating all employees
  • Methods to improve departmental effectiveness and achieve Total Quality Management striving for zero losses.

The Quality System documentation is published and distributed in a controlled manner after it is reviewed and approved for compliance with Columbia's goals and objectives.


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