The Bergen Shipping Dinner is an event organized by the Bergen Shipowners’ Association and Bergen Shipbroker Association. It usually takes place every other year, but was pushed back a year this time due to Covid. As the pandemic limitations lifted, it appeared that the enthusiasm for attending had peaked: Sign-up has been sky high and the dinner itself gathered a total 1450 people (max capacity).
Leading up to the joint industry dinner, Odfjell invited our contacts to our own specially made seminars, social gatherings and outings:
In total, near 140 of our contacts attended one or more of these events. Charterers, managers, brokers, CEOs and directors, advisors and lawyers, representing companies such as Shell, Exxon, Neste, Thome, Tim Brokerage, Vertom Tanker Chartering, Southport Agencies, Euro Nordic, Rotterdam and Antwerp Bruges ports, Nolarma, Pole Shipping, Maersk Broker, LyondellBasell, Eastman, Intertanko, Clarksons, Braskem, to name some.
As the photos below show, people were very happy to meet again and to have time to share experiences, get input, and simply have some fun together.
"This was a very successful customer event from beginning to end. The positive feedback received from our guests, the Bergen shipping community, colleagues – and even our competitors – is overwhelming," Harald summarized when it was all concluded.
A definite highlight of the program was when Laurence Odfjell, Harald Fotland and Kristian Mørch met on stage at the Odfjell dinner on Thursday night. In conversation with Siv Remøy-Vangen, CEO of Maritime Bergen, the three reflected on Odfjell’s progress and experiences over the past years, the most pressing challenges today – and expectations for the coming years.
Laurence started out with heartfelt praise of the seafarers for how they’ve tackled the pandemic, and a warm thanks to the shore organization at offices and terminals. The greeting was met by a round of applause.
Laurence also highlighted the decarbonization challenge, and took the opportunity to call for more action and broader collaboration between and beyond the chemical and maritime industry.
"We need better collaboration to achieve our common goals on energy transition. We are ready to play. I am very confident that Harald will be a safe pair of hands at the helm of Odfjell, but also an innovative pair of hands that can drive future improvements." He thanked Kristian for handing over a company in great shape: "We have proven an ability to transform, improve and innovate. The type of values and the issues that are prioritized – you can see it: We care, and this comes from the top."
When asked about how he experienced coming to Odfjell and Bergen from Denmark, and what he is most proud to look back at, Kristian said:
"It’s like Harald says: Bergen is like a thermos bottle: It may seem cold on the outside, but once on the inside it’s warm and nice. it’s been our home for seven years, and a part of us will always be here." He continued:
"What’s always struck me with Odfjell is the passion and the pride. People take it for granted that we’re proud of the company, but that’s not a given, and many other companies struggle to establish the same. It’s extraordinary how everyone wants the best for the company."
On whether or not he had reached the goals he set out, he said: "There are always things that could have been done differently, but I am very happy, content and satisfied with the state of the company I hand over to Harald. I can leave with my head held high."
Harald has now had the CEO hat on for just about a month. Summing up these first weeks, he said:
"It’s inspiring, and I feel privileged to represent the team we have in Odfjell. This is a great company to work for."
On the board’s choice to appoint him as CEO, he commented: "The board’s choice to offer me this position is a clear signal that they want a continuation of what we’ve started. With me at the helm, there will be no major changes to our strategy."
“The markets are improving, and we have a positive outlook. However, the world is maybe more unpredictable than it has ever been. Our task is to navigate this situation. We’ll continue to deliver world-class services, continue to decarbonize, and continue to make our processes more efficient. That’s the game plan.”
When asked about the family ownership and history in Bergen, Laurence was crystal clear: "The chemical tanker cluster in Bergen is unparalleled. The innovation coming out of the Norwegian maritime cluster, the technical solutions, the competence. We are collaborating with this cluster, we are contributing to this cluster, we benefit from this cluster. That’s valuable for us. So we are going nowhere, we belong in the Norwegian maritime cluster and in the Bergen chemical cluster."
And not only was the room packed with members of this cluster, as a coincidence it turned out that even the venue’s security guard was a previous seafarer, having sailed with OWL Tankers as a chef.
