Columbia Shipmanagement Takes eLearning to Next Level

Columbia Shipmanagement proudly announces the launch of its own eLearning Management System (LMS) in partnership with Adobe Systems. 

It is the first time a ship manager has partnered with a multinational computer software company to implement a global LMS solution for its entire eLearning courses. This cutting edge Web and App-based eLearning platform enables seafarers to access and complete their training assignments at their own pace and even without having network connectivity. 

Columbia’s LMS enables a new learner experience by harmonizing the training and courses for seafarers and fleet wide activities worldwide. The new system can be used at the seafarers’ convenience and from any location: office, onboard vessels, at their homes, or even when traveling.

Seafarers can now complete interactive courses using computers or mobile devices to download the courses, generate certificates after successful completion of the relevant test, collect points and badges, post comments and questions in dedicated forums, participate in webinars, attend virtual classrooms and also access virtual reality content among many other features. All Columbia’s seafarers now have access to the platform and can benefit from a large catalog of interactive and engaging courses. 

Columbia has a dedicated in-house team for the development of tailored eLearning courses using the latest and most advanced authoring software. The LMS, known as Adobe Captivate Prime, enables Masters and Managers to create Continuous Development Programmes for their teams by enrolling them through specific courses. 

The captured data helps monitor the effectiveness of the training, attendance, providing feedback on participation or even managing results on how quickly the workforce is improving through skill awards.

Top quality training and education is at the heart of Columbia’s crew management ethos and this latest achievement has become a reality thanks to the ambitious strides the ship manager has taken to embrace a digital transformation.

Captain Faouzi Fradi, Group Director of Training at Columbia Shipmanagement, said: “Seafarers play a key role in operating Columbia’s fleet, hence it is of utmost importance to recognize their contribution and efforts by caring about their well-being and satisfaction. Columbia’s LMS has been implemented to train and educate seafarers but also to adapt to their schedule and lives, while onboard or ashore and help them train on their own terms.”

In a further development Columbia has completely revamped its web-based Crew Portal; a private space where seafarers have access to information about their next assignment, certificates and documents, training requirements, payrolls, company news, safety alerts and lessons to be learned among other features. 

Recently Columbia has inaugurated its first Performance Optimisation Control Room. With 24/7/365 support, CSM will be able to take even faster decision when optimizing management services and greater visibility by using modern technology to achieve cost-efficient vessel operations. Centralizing operations will give Columbia the ability to better deal with fast-changing scenarios and developments as they happen. The Control Room functions, will optimize vessel safety, security, crew, commercial operations, voyage control, fuel consumption operations and many other aspects.