In the OTUS team, four colleagues have recently received their 30-year recognitions:
Congratulations!
The OTUS management team, led by CEO John Blanchard and CFO Morris White, provided our Chair with an update on a number of key initiatives and a tour of the terminal's modifications since his previous visit in 2017.
OTH operators were particularly happy to meet the Chair as he was handing out frozen Gatorade bottles on a day when the heat index surpassed 100°F (38°C) - which also provided an opportunity to reinforce the focus on safety.
As part of the visit to the terminal, Odfjell held a townhall meeting where he addressed the past years' challenges, performance, safety and strategy. Selected quotes:
"At OTH we are handling many of the most hazardous materials there are. We do not have a choice but to be "world-class". First and foremost, we want our people to come home safely to their families after a shift at OTH and we want our neighboring communities to be safe. This is our license to operate."
"There is a danger of complacency and risk of not following procedure. When we look at incidents across our terminal portfolio, the majority of these are, at the root, caused by people not following the procedure. More often than not, the individuals are aware of the procedure, but either consciously or unconsciously they end up not following them – causing a spill, injury or worse. Because we are in the business of handling hazardous liquids, we cannot allow ourselves to let the guard down."
"OTH is key to Odfjell Terminals and Odfjell because of its unique position in one of the largest chemical hubs in the world. With the large number of hazardous chemicals and complex operations we do in Houston, OTH is a center of excellence. OTUS has the potential to be a platform for further expansion, both within and outside of its current footprint."
"Terminals is a strategic business for the Odfjell Group, and we now intend to grow Odfjell Terminals again. We want to be a leader within our industry - not necessarily in size, but we need to have a relevant footprint. Some growth will come organically and through developing available land that we already have. In this respect, OTUS will play an important part in our growth strategy."
The Chair also took the opportunity to visit Bow Firda, then alongside at the Advario Terminal in Texas City. Together with Odfjell USA General Manager Gareth Williams, and Manager Port Operations Jared Honeycutt, he was received onboard by Captain Jan-Inge Gjelsvik and his crew during loading operations for Dow prior sailing to South America.
The visitors were treated to a tour of the deck, bridge, manifold and engine room. Our Chair was very pleased to note that Bow Firda is sailing with three cadets and one trainee aboard, and expressed his gratitude to Captain Gjelsvik for the crew’s loyalty and sacrifice, particularly during the height of the pandemic.
