AD Ports, Columbia Group name new CEO for Dubai venture

AD Ports Group and global ship management firm Columbia Group have appointed Xanthos Kyriacou as chief executive officer of their Dubai-based joint venture Noatum CSM, the companies confirmed. The venture, which pairs Columbia’s global ship management expertise with AD Ports’ regional maritime infrastructure, will serve shipowners and operators across the Middle East and beyond under Kyriacou’s leadership.

“Xanthos brings strong regional experience, deep operational knowledge and a clear understanding of the needs of shipowners. We look forward to continuing our work with Columbia Group to support the next phase of Noatum CSM’s growth,” said Captain Ammar Al Shaiba, CEO of the Maritime & Shipping Cluster at AD Ports Group.

Appointment and immediate endorsements

Columbia Group CEO Andreas Hadjipetrou praised the appointment, calling Kyriacou “an excellent choice to lead Noatum CSM into its next phase of growth.” Hadjipetrou highlighted Kyriacou’s track record in building trusted relationships and his commercial mindset, saying: “His commercial mindset, commitment to excellence and extensive experience working within joint venture structures make him particularly well suited to this role. Xanthos has been a valued member of the Columbia family for many years, and his passion, loyalty and dedication to delivering results have consistently stood out.”

Context and role of Noatum CSM

Noatum CSM is a strategic joint venture that combines Columbia Group’s ship management services with AD Ports Group’s regional capabilities and infrastructure. The collaboration is designed to strengthen ship management offerings available to owners and operators throughout the Middle East and to support vessels calling at ports in the region.

• Joint venture name: Noatum CSM
• New CEO: Xanthos Kyriacou
• Partners: AD Ports Group (Abu Dhabi-based) and Columbia Group
• Geographic focus: Dubai base, serving the Middle East and beyond

Kyriacou, who has been part of Columbia Group for many years, said he was “proud to be taking on the role of CEO at Noatum CSM.” He added: “We have a strong platform, an excellent team and a clear opportunity to support shipowners operating in one of the world’s most strategically important maritime regions.” The statement signals a focus on client service and operational support tailored to the needs of shipowners operating in the Gulf and adjacent waters.

Outlook

Under Kyriacou’s leadership, both partners expect Noatum CSM to deepen strategic partnerships and enhance its customer-focused approach. Hadjipetrou forecast that Kyriacou will “further enhance the company’s customer-focused approach, deepen strategic partnerships and drive continued success for our clients and stakeholders.” AD Ports’ Captain Al Shaiba framed the appointment as a continuation of the venture’s role “in strengthening the ship management offering available to owners and operators across the Middle East.”

The move positions Noatum CSM to pursue growth in a region that remains a key hub for commercial shipping and maritime logistics, with an emphasis on combining global management standards and regional operational capacity to meet owner needs. Kyriacou’s experience with joint ventures and client-facing roles will be central to executing that strategy.