Columbia Shipmanagement, Marlow Navigation complete merger

The merged entity, to be called Columbia Marlow, has said that it plans to focus on its core services – technical and crew management – along with support services.    Cyprus-based vessel management companies Columbia Shipmanagement and Marlow Navigation have received the regulatory approval needed from anti-competition authorities to allow their previously reported intended merger to proceed, the companies said in a joint statement Sept. 1.
   The approval came from the countries where the two firms have the largest presences, including Germany, where both companies originated before becoming headquartered in Cyprus. Both have a significant presence in Europe in Asia, but none in North America.
   The merged entity, to be called Columbia Marlow, has said that it plans to focus on its core services – technical and crew management – along with whatever support services are required by its clients.
   “Columbia Marlow will continue to deliver the high-level quality services that are, and will continue to be, in demand by today’s fast-changing shipping industry,” the company said in a statement. “The merger is seen as a perfect fit.”
   Columbia Shipmanagement President Mark O’Neil will fill the same role with the combined Columbia Marlow.
   The two companies first announced in March that they were engaged in exploratory talks for a merger, with the aim of creating one of the largest ship management companies in the world. The merged entity will be involved in the technical management of around 500 ships and the crew management of over 1,300 vessels.
   The merger is the fourth major merger & acquisition in global ship management in just over three years, following the takeover of Bibby Shipmanagement by market leader V Group in March 2016; the merger of Anglo-Eastern and Univan in late 2015; and April 2014’s merger of the Christian F. Ahrenkiel Group with the MPC Group.