The annual Bank Day gathered 25 national and international banking contacts for a half day seminar presenting Odfjell’s market position, financing, and projections for the coming years. The invited institutions represent the core financing partners of the Odfjell fleet, and are as such vital stakeholders to keep updated about our business, financial status and strategy.
“Our annual Bank Day is a great arena to present Odfjell to all our core banking partners in one turn, to answer questions and discuss opportunities. By sharing the same thorough information and prospects with all of them, we secure that we are on the same page when the next financing project is due. The attendees expressed that they were impressed with the steps Odfjell has taken in recent years – not only on fleet renewal and terminal reorganization, but also on sustainability, transparency and digitalization.”
- Gustav Sannem, VP Finance
Following the seminar, the guests gathered at the Ulriken mountain top restaurant, where (as luck would have it) they were treated to a rain-free, summer night sunset.
The Bergen Shipping Dinner is organized every second year and is a cooperation between Bergen Shipbroker Association and Bergen Shipowners’ Association. The event gathers visitors from all over the world – customers, time charter owners, operational contacts and ship brokers.
At the dinner itself on Friday night, the hoi polloi of the Bergen shipping cluster dresses up and brings the invited guests to a sit-down dinner and networking evening. However, this is just the end event: Odfjell’s invited contacts could choose between a variety of tailor-made activities and seminars on Thursday and Friday:
SEMINARS
At the office in Bergen, presentations were given on the following topics:
Port & Terminal efficiency
Erik Paulsen from Cardo Partners and VP Maritime Personnel Torger Trige presented our view on port efficiency from a ship operator’s perspective, highlighting the importance of safe and efficient port rotations, local and global variations, role of various stakeholders and possible improvement factors.
Vessel efficiency during port rotations
Manager Cargo & Port Operations Eyvind Bremseth, Marine Manager Jan Ove Ødegård and Global Head of Ship Management Geirmund Drivenes introduced key aspects of the vetting system, safety and risk assessment, and the inspection regime, as well as tank preparation, inspection and approval methods.
IMO 2020: The new Sulphur requirements
Commodity Analyst in DNB, Kristoffer Dale, presented the current status and forward curve of expectations related to IMO 2020, while VP Technology Erik Hjortland introduced Odfjell’s approach to compliance relating to new fuel types, operational challenges and bunker adjustment clauses.
SOCIAL EVENTS
Our guests were invited to lunch and dinner, and could choose between three unique excursions:
Dinner at Grand
Thursday evening, 118 guests and Odfjell'ers joined together for a seafood dinner at the historic Grand venue. Kristian Mørch gave our customers a summary of Odfjell’s two years since the previous event in 2017, ending with a positive note for the prospects we see coming until we meet again for the Bergen Shipping Dinner 2021.
Golf tournament
As part of the event, the organizers invite all visitors and shipping companies to a golf tournament. The golfing enthusiasts got up early to catch the bus and spent the day golfing at the Meland golf course, located north of Bergen.
Edvard Grieg Piano concert
Other guests chose the music alternative, and gathered for a piano concert at Edvard Grieg’s home Troldhaugen. After listening to selected classical masterpieces, the group got a guided tour of the house and estate.
Stoltzekleiven up
The bravest and fittest signed up for the Odfjell hiking challenge: Stoltzekleiven up. It is one of the most challenging and popular trails in Bergen, a paved trail including 722 nature stairs and a 36% average climb straight up. On top, hikers are rewarded with the most spectacular view of the city and fjord below. Our guests all impressively made it to the top, and enjoyed the nature walk back to Fløien before joining the rest for lunch in the city center.
Lunch at Jacob Aall
After the seminar, concert and hike, around 100 Odfjell'ers and guests met for informal networking, burgers and hotdogs at the roof terrace restaurant Jacob Aall, before the main evening dinner commenced in Grieghallen with 1500 shipping professionals on the guest list.
Based on the feedback, it is safe to say that our combined seminars and events were a success. Here are a few selected greetings from our guests:
“Safely back in Rotterdam and would like to thank you again for the invite to yet another great event. Although very early morning, the golf day was a success (more than I can say about my game) and the company was outstanding. So once again I need to rank you 5 stars on my trip advisor review.”
“Just a quick note to you and your colleagues to say thank you for your very kind hospitality. A fine dinner on Thursday with the Odfjell family followed by the welcome and relaxed lunch on Thursday. It is always a pleasure to see you all with excellent company.”
"I want to thank you all for your hospitality and a wonderful experience on my first trip to Bergen. From dinner at the Grand Bergen, hiking Stoltzekleiven, to ending at MM in the evening - it was a great opportunity to be in your home town and a pleasure to meet many of you for the first time. The shipping business has taken me to many new places but people like yourselves make it all worthwhile. Thank you again for the continued support in business and hopefully I can earn another invitation for BSD 2021!"
Many thanks to the organizing committee – Robert Nesvold, Senior Ship Broker, Gro Solberg-Hansen, Executive Secretary, Ole Ivar Steinsland, Ship Broker, and Karoline Gjellestad, Ship Operator – for planning and executing the extensive logistics and program.
