Geirmund Drivenes joined Odfjell in 2001, initially leading one of three Odfjell fleets. Sixteen years later, he assumed the top position within Ship Management, with a sea and a shore organization under his auspices.
Can you share with us your Odfjell story?
“I started working with Odfjell in September 2001. I was appointed Fleet Manager responsible for what back then was called Fleet A. At that time, there were three fleets within the offices at Minde: Fleet A, Fleet B, and Fleet NCC.
Shortly after, the Fleet Manager position was converted to a VP position, and I held the VP position since then.
The fleet structures have changed a lot during the years since I joined Odfjell. We went from three fleets in Bergen to two fleets in Bergen and a fleet in Singapore. Then, we had one fleet in Bergen and one fleet in Singapore. Now, we have one fleet only, in Bergen. I was VP for the Bergen fleet until the end of 2017, before I became the Global Head of Ship Management as of January 1st last year.”
What do you consider to be highlights of your career?
“The prime highlight of my career dates back to the years before I joined Odfjell. After completing my Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering degree, I worked for a couple of years and got used to being paid, and everything that came with it. All of a sudden, I woke up on a Monday morning thinking I have to do something more. So, I started a higher education and spent the next three years at the University. I took a Master’s degree in Finance, which complemented my degree within engineering. So I have two educations: technical and financial. That is probably what I am most proud of.
“My biggest achievement was that I managed to turn my head around, pull myself up by the bootstraps and further educate myself.”
“When I finished this second education, the unemployment rate in Norway was peaking at around ten percent. It took me some time before I managed to get a job. I got one, and I was extremely lucky to get into the world's most exciting business: the shipping business. That is also an achievement I am really proud of.”
“In Odfjell, being appointed Global Head is definitely a highlight. And I am so lucky to be in charge of a great Section Leader team, and a super staff in general in the Ship Management Department, both at shore and at sea.”
As Global Head of Ship Management, what will be your highest priorities in the near future?
“Definitely, to foster a world-class safety culture, first and foremost. I want to increase the risk awareness among everyone and reduce the probability of accidents and incidents.
“For me, the most important thing is that everyone should be able to come home to their loved ones, safe and sound, after being on duty for Odfjell.”
“Secondly, I want to make sure that I am visible to those I'm set to lead, both on shore and on board. I will try to make myself available for everyone and make them feel that they are cared for.
And of course, the performance of the ships will be of utmost importance.”
How do you see Odfjell Ship Management in the next five years?
“It is going to be a strong, competent, efficient and professional organization with a healthy safety culture. We will be well integrated with Odfjell Tankers, pulling together in the right direction.
We will have well-performing and well-maintained ships. We will have a sustainable and competitive cost level. The processes we are supposed to do or undertake will be well-defined and well-understood.
Digitalization will be at a higher level than it is today. We will have better and deeper integration between sea and shore, and we will have better tools for analysis and decision-making.”
How can our seafarers contribute to the achievement of these goals?
“Everyone has to think safety in all aspects. Being on board a chemical tanker is not at all without risks. If things cannot be done safely, they should not be done at all. Our seafarers, and everyone in Ship Management, should think about peers and colleagues.
“Remember that you can always stop any activity at any time if you feel an activity is unsafe.”
“We expect our seafarers to help the shore organization with constructive feedback. Any suggestion for improvement is very much welcomed, but it needs to be communicated in a decent and good way.
Good attitudes are vital. Keep in mind that in Ship Management and in the whole of Odfjell, we all need to cooperate – not counteract. Our seafarers are expected to be as cost-conscious as everyone else.
As we always say, vetting is the ticket to our trade. We expect our crew to always be well-prepared for inspections. Never forget that you have the support of the shore organization, and that you can call on us whenever you need help.”
Will you have any message for our seafarers for the new year?
“Thank you for all your hard work in 2018. I am looking forward to improving cooperation even more in 2019. We all know that it's tough out there. And with the strong competition, we really need to improve in all fields.”
“But I am 100 percent confident that you, our seafarers, will cope and that 2019 will hopefully be a much better year.”
Who is Geirmund outside Odfjell?
“I like physical activities; at least I did and would have wanted to do more of it these days. In my younger years, I was a very active track and field athlete. I did running. And now that we are starting a new year, I promised myself to get back to doing these things and increase the frequency.
I like hiking in the mountains. This summer I completed two of the most popular and longest hiking tours in the western part of Norway.
I also like to travel. I have a mandatory summer trip somewhere, and during the remaining part of the year, I try to travel to well-known or famous destinations. If possible, I combine it with sports events like football or other athletics.
I have two beautiful daughters with whom I try to spend as much time as I can.”
