Themed ‘Reset & Renew’, the comeback event of the regional crew and allottee conferences aimed to provide stakeholders with information on all the changes and developments that have occurred in the organization and its processes since the pandemic. It also sought to deepen relations between the shore organization and the seafarers and their families, and help members of the Odfjell community forge a new bond.
VP Maritime Personnel Svend Foyn-Bruun, who attended his first crew and allottee conference, opened the event summarizing the past two years and looking ahead to a post-pandemic future for Odfjell. He shared improvements with crew rotation as well as collaboration initiatives that support integration within the organization, and emphasized the company’s focus on people, from their safety and mental well-being, to providing equal opportunities to everyone.
The event also featured the awarding ceremony for 11 Odfjell seafarers who have served the company for at least 25 years. Foyn-Bruun, along with OPI General Manager Captain Remigio Zamora and VP – Head of Crewing Agnes Enesio, presented the plaque and gold watch to the loyal awardees.
One lasting change brought about by the pandemic is the shift to e-commerce and electronic banking. To help seafarers and their families navigate this increasingly used arena, Manager IT Miguel Cortez presented the top cybersecurity threats and shared tips on how to avoid them. Communications Officer Shiela Virtusio afterwards discussed social media security, with focus on identify theft and scam on Facebook.
The afternoon was opened with a thought-provoking presentation by Dr. Oscar Bulaong, Jr, Executive Director of Ateneo de Manila University's Gov. Jose B. Fernandez Jr. Ethics Center. Dr. Bulaong explained how the cultivation of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and social skills help people make good decisions. He further illustrated how good decision-making improves people's well-being and makes them flourish.
VP – Head of Crewing also went onstage to welcome the attendees and to introduce the Crewing Leaders who were to introduce their respective teams and responsibilities, as well as the changes that have been implemented over the past two years.
The officers of the Manila Allottee Chapter also came up on stage to share their experience as Crew and Family Affairs’ helping hand during events and in disseminating information to other Odfjell allottees.
The event was concluded with a summary and words of gratitude from Captain Remigio Zamora, who also echoed everyone’s delight with the return of these gatherings.
