Twenty-one seafarers and one seafarer-turned-office-employee were honored for at least 25 years of service in the company. Chair Laurence Odfjell, VP Fleet Management Knut Erik Fredriksen, VP Maritime Personnel Svend Foyn-Bruun, newly-minted President of Odfjell Philippines, Inc. Agnes Enesio and Senior Crewing and Social Officer Eva Storeide presented the plaque and gold watch to the following awardees:
VP Maritime Personnel Svend Foyn-Bruun formally opened the ceremony with a warm welcome to colleagues and family members, acknowledging the significant contributions not only of the awardees, but also of all seafarers.
Your hard work and dedication have made Odfjell the great company we have today. You and your friends on board have also helped make the Philippines one of the leading countries in shipping in the world.
Svend Foyn-Bruun
In his inspirational words, Chair Laurence Odfjell made references to popular culture and sports. He likened the Odfjell community to a Band of Brothers—a culture where colleagues take care of each other—as demonstrated by how we supported our colleagues at sea during the pandemic.
...We delivered on our word – our seafarers are essential workers, they are our colleagues at sea, and they deserve support when needed. We take care of each other. We care. We are a Band of Brothers between Sea and Shore.
With the company welcoming more women on board, he wished for this culture to turn into a Band of Brothers and Sisters—a culture of taking care of and respecting everyone.
To make this a safe and successful journey for these young women, we need to become a Band of Brothers and Sisters – we need to take care of and respect everyone. As young men, our awardees placed their trust in Odfjell and in their colleagues. This has been a success.
Let us not let down the trust of the young women and men coming onboard today. Odfjell’s success depends on their success.
The chemical tanker segment is the champion’s league of shipping. We are winners in this league, thanks to your professionalism, your dedication and loyalty.
Laurence Odfjell, Chair, Odfjell SE
Enesio led the toast for the awardees who have now joined the elite circle of over 400 seafarers awarded for reaching 25 years in service. She also acknowledged the family members who are affected the most every time a seafarer leaves home to fulfill his duties at sea.
At dinner, a short video tribute was presented to further honor our loyal colleagues:
Queenie Cabiao, wife of Captain Randy Allan Cabiao and president of the Manila Allottee Council, paid homage to fellow spouses whose strength and support helped in their husbands' achievements.
Captain Marlo Salayo, former seafarer and the current Manager Compliance & Competence, delivered a moving speech on behalf of all the awardees. After sharing messages of gratitude from his fellow awardees, he shared his own experience of being cared for by Odfjell:
Back in 2009, I had a booming career. I was one of two Filipinos sent to the Terminals for cross-training. Unfortunately when my wife visited me in Houston, she suffered a fatal stroke. She was in a coma for days. I remember sitting outside the hospital, not knowing what to do. It was my first foreign assignment.
What made me proceed during those times was receiving information from the Terminal that they had a clear instruction from Laurence Odfjell himself - then President of Odfjell Terminals - ‘to assist Marlo and his family at all costs’.
I am a living testament of how Odfjell takes care not only of its people, but also their families. Today, I was reminded of how grateful I am to Odfjell. That's why I plan to stay in this company until the company wants me to.
Captain Marlo Salayo, Manager Compliance & Competence
Chief Technical Officer Torger Trige formally closed the gathering by thanking the awardees for the dedication and commitment they have displayed throughout the years, and by thanking everyone who worked hard to put together the absolutely fantastic event.
Learn more about the awardees in this feature on Odfjell.com.
Photos by Jacob Pascua and Jethro Quiambao
