As per tradition, awardees and invited guests gathered for the celebratory dinner at Terminus hotel in conjunction with the annual Officer's conference in Bergen. COO Harald Fotland hosted the awards. He introduced the ceremony by highlighting historic events and company developments since the first of the awardees started in 1975, and especially during the past 25 years.
“Since the late eighties, our company has developed significantly. Back then, we were registered on the stock exchange as Storli, Westfal-Larsen came in and exited as partner and was later replaced by NCC. In 1994, we changed the name back to Odfjell, we took delivery of the first Kværner ship, and a few years later the second Polen class vessels were delivered. We established the training center in the Philippines, and through the years we ventured into terminals in China, Iran, Oman, and Rotterdam – etc. etc. Except for the Kvaerner vessels, everything that I have mentioned are of the past. For some of us this is just history, others experienced the exit from these projects, but the seafarers we honor tonight have experienced it all from start to finish.
The reason why I mention all this, is as we’ve said so many times: From day to day, everything seems to stay the same, but looking back over time we realize that Odfjell has been through significant change and has taken small and big steps that have had major influence on the company’s history and development. Change will continue, but we can’t have change without a solid fundament. We need stability, and the most important contributor to stability is competent and loyal co-workers. The seafarers we honor today represent this stability, which is crucial for the company to reach our goals. Loyalty is not a given, and it is therefore a special privilege and honor for me to present the awards to these esteemed representatives of the Odfjell company culture.”
Geir Ottar Brattli, Chief Engineer. Geir Ottar started in Odfjell in 1988 as Third Engineer on board the old Bow Sun. He was appointed Chief Engineer in 1999 and has sailed on a solid portion of the fleet's vessels: Bow Hunter, Bow Flower, Bow Flora, Bow Cecil, NCC Mekka, NCC Jouf, Bow Fighter, Bow Eagle, Bow Sea, Bow Bracaria, Bow Fagus, and last but not least Bow Trajectory where he still serves. In addition to the Odfjell watch, he also received the Norwegian Shipowners’ Associations gold medal for his more than 30 years in the industry and 20 continuous years with Odfjell.
Runar Søreide Oen, Chief Engineer. Runar started in Odfjell in 1994 as Thrd Engineer. He was appointed Chief Engineer in 2002 and has since sailed on Bow Chain, Bow Brasilia, Bow Aratu, Bow Atlantic, Bow Fortune and Bow Clipper. After a year ashore with the Site Team in Bergen, Runar is back again as Chief Engineer on Bow Summer.
Geir Kvaal, Captain. Geir started in Odfjell in 1994 as First Officer on board the old Bow Sun. From the appointment as Captain in 2003 he has sailed on board NCC Jizan, Bow Pride, Bow Atlantic, Bow Mekka, Bow Sea, Bow Jubail, and Bow Cecil where he still serves.
John Bjørnar Jakobsen, Chief Engineer. From starting his career at sea in 1975, John Bjørnar has sailed with several Norwegian ship owners. He came to Odfjell in 1995 as 2nd Engineer onboard NCC Najran, before his appointment as Chief Engineer in 1999. He has since sailed on Bow Flora, NCC Jubail and Bow Jubail. In 2014 he took out Bow Tribute, where he has sailed since. John Bjørnar received the Norwegian Shipowners’ Associations gold medal for his more than 30 years in the industry and 20 continuous years with Odfjell.
