Columbia Group sends reassuring messages to its employees, the media on its position vis-à-vis Iran conflict

At this time of heightened conflict with Iran, Columbia Group CEO Mark O’Neil and COO Captain Zelenski have sent out a joint video message to employees at sea and ashore, explaining the Group's position.

“We're at day three of the conflict and already nearly all of us in some shape or form have been impacted,” begins Mark O’Neil (pictured, left). “The purpose of this video is to assure you all that as a company, as a group, we are monitoring the situation extremely closely. From the point of business continuity, we are looking ahead to make sure that we're factoring in every eventuality and that business will continue as normal come what may.

“Our overriding concern, however, is safety and that is the safety of our seafarers on board our vessels, and also our crews and seafarers travelling to or from vessels and from collection points around the world. But also our colleagues in the office who need to travel for business reasons for whatever reason and our staff within this office particularly our good staff in the UAE and closer to the conflict.

“As a group we will do everything we possibly can to keep you and your loved ones safe and out of harm's way. And subject to those safety analyses, which Captain Zelenski is going to talk about in a minute, the business will continue as much as possible and in as normal as possible way as it can. We fully acknowledge that many of you will be suffering from anxiety at this time particularly if you have a loved one near to the conflict or in an office in the UAE. And we are here to do everything we possibly can to ease that anxiety.

“As a company, we have had mental health support solutions for many years. And I would encourage all of you, whether you're onboard vessels or you're in the office and you're feeling anxious for whatever reason about your situation. to pick up the phone to mental health support solutions and obtain some form of comfort, whatever that might look like.

“We hope, very much hope, that this conflict will be over as soon as possible. But irrespective of that, let me assure you, and Captain Zelensky will assure you too in a minute, that your safety is of paramount importance and we will do nothing. to imperil that safety.

“Our business will adapt, our business is flexible and as we've always shown in other times of crisis, we're extremely good at adapting. We are a family and we will hold together and we will support one another and we will be there for each other. So please, whether you're on board a vessel or you're in the office and you see one of your colleagues or one of your fellow crew members suffering from anxiety, please reach out, extend the hand of friendship to him or her and try as much as possible to calm them down.

“Captain Zelensky, would you please tell our good colleagues, particularly our crew members on board the vessels, what safety and security measures we are taking every hour of every day to ensure their safety. Thank you very much.”

“The situation is indeed challenging, but we are really on top of it,” continues Capt. Zelenski (right). “The safety of personnel has a paramount importance for us, and we have implemented all required measures to ensure the safety. We are in close cooperation with flag administrations. We are in close contact with our security service providers, such as Risk Intelligence, Ambrose Risk and others. Every passage is subject to detailed risk assessment completed by company security officers and reviewed by the top management of the company.

“We are in close contact through our travel team with relevant airlines to discuss safety measures and travel plans aground. This is a very important element of our risk assessment because airlines, they have their own risk assessment in place and flight cancellation sometimes causes delays and necessity to reroute people or place them in safe location and this is all what we do all the time and we are definitely on top of it.

“We are absolutely confident that with all these efforts we will ensure that our personnel ashore and on board are safe, and we will never take unnecessary risk. And so if you are one of our excellent crew members on board of our vessels in the Gulf region, in that part of the world, rest assured that you are at the forefront of our minds.

“And rest assured that we are analysing and assessing the risk every minute of every day. And should there be any reason to change that position, we will let you know. Thank you.”

Later O’Neil issued a separate press statement saying: “We are closely monitoring the recent escalation in the Gulf Region under our established security and business continuity protocols.

“The safety of our crews remains our absolute priority. Our vessels operate under enhanced procedures, including live monitoring through our control room, enabling real-time assessment of navigation plans and risk exposure. No operational decisions are taken without thorough evaluation and confirmation of crew safety.

 “We have robust contingency plans in place both at sea and ashore, including for our offices in Dubai and Saudi Arabia. These measures have been strengthened over time in response to previous geopolitical disruptions, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and earlier Houthi activity.

 “While the current situation represents an escalation, we have long factored regional instability into our operational planning. We remain in close contact with relevant authorities and security advisers and will continue to take all necessary steps to protect our people and our operations.”