Odfjell prides itself as being an organization that gives our employees equal opportunities, irrespective of gender. To support this year's Day of the Seafarer theme, ‘On board with gender equality’, Bow News interviewed some of the women in Odfjell who have dedicated their lives to a career at sea, or in support of it.
My opinion is that we need well-prepared and passionate professionals, women or men, in all industries. I do not believe that women or men are better for certain jobs.
- Yoana Leon Valdivia, Drydocking Superintendent
Stewardess Hennie Jean Billones (Billones): It is important to have women in the maritime industry because we add a different perspective.
Ship Auditor Jennifer Cabunilas (Cabunilas): Having women in the maritime industry is tantamount to supporting gender equality. Studies have shown that countries or companies that promote gender equality have better economic growth. More importantly, equality for women means progress for everyone. We have seen that parliaments with more women enact more legislation on key social issues such as health, education, anti-discrimination and child support.
Third Officer Ryna de la Rosa (de la Rosa): Having women in the maritime industry opens new perspectives in addressing issues the sector is facing. By nature, women are meticulous, open to communication, safety conscious and compliant to rules and procedures. We can use these attributes, together with the skills we acquired through training and experiences, to alleviate human errors that cause most ship accidents.
Second Officer Kristin Sandvik (Sandvik): I think it is important to have women and men in all vocations. It is wrong of us to focus on one specific gender no matter the profession or industry. The traditional gender roles we still see in many parts of the world needs to end, and I am happy to be a role model to any young mind in choosing their path in life, no matter where that path may lead them.
Chief Officer Lene Kristine Strøm (Strøm): My first thought was ‘why not?!’ We can do the same job as good as the men in the industry, and when we put our minds together, we - men and women - make a better team.
Drydocking Superintendent Yoana Leon Valdivia (Valdivia): My opinion is that we need well-prepared and passionate professionals, women or men, in all industries. I do not believe that women or men are better for certain jobs. For me, what matters is that people love what they do. I do not imagine a future where a woman will get a job before a more qualified man, just for being a woman, or the other way around. What I agree with is that as women, we must continue to seek equality to have the same rights and opportunities as men.
I became a Ship Auditor when I decided to stop working on board a vessel. It was no longer advisable for me to work in a six- or nine-month contract, especially since I have a child and family to take care of.
Jennifer Cabunilas, Ship Auditor
Billones: The main reason why I decided to become a seafarer is my father. I want to follow his footsteps, and provide for the family as he does. I also want to travel the world and try the various cuisines in the different places that we get to visit.
de la Rosa: I have always been fascinated with the concept of navigation. I just pursued what I believe is where my heart belongs.
Valdivia: My passion and love for ships and oil rigs.
Nonato: I did not initially intend to become a seafarer, but after graduating from college, I heard a lot of things about how it is to pursue a career in the maritime industry. After weighing the pros and cons, I decided to take the risk and pursue a different path in a field foreign to me. It had been challenging for me but I am glad that Odfjell gave me the opportunity to take this path.
Sandvik: After watching a documentary on the maritime industry in Norway and the impact it has on the Norwegian society and economy, I decided that I would one day work towards becoming a Captain. I was 15 then, and I told my guidance counselor that I would like to explore the more unusual options when it came to choosing my education. My guidance counselor jumped at the challenge of figuring out my options and how I may combine the practical and academic when it came to the education. I ended up at my local school at first, then transferred to a national boarding school on board MS Gann, and that is where I was introduced to Odfjell as an option for my future. I have been in Odfjell since September 2008 and have held positions from trainee to now Second Officer.
Strøm: My decision started as a joke. In high school, we had a project about shipping in Norway. During this project, there were a lot of companies and Captains who introduced us to the industry and told us what they were doing in their line of work. A week later, I joked that "I am going to be a Captain one day and become rich!” Then one day, I found out that there actually was a college on a ship. I visited the school, fell in love with it, applied and got in. I loved it even more the moment I started attending school. The best thing about this school is that most of the companies came to us to recruit. One day, Odfjell came there and told us that we could travel while working and get paid for doing it. I was definitely sold, so here I am now.
I'm glad to see that women are now acknowledged to be part of this male-dominated profession. By being successful in my career, I can encourage the future generation of female seafarers that they, too, can excel in this field.
- Ryna de la Rosa, Third Officer
Billones: I can contribute by showing my fighting spirit as a woman, and by proving that women can achieve the same things men do in this industry. As an Odfjell seafarer, I can show my sincerity in any field of work that I am assigned to.
Cabunilas: Being in an all-male team in a male-dominated industry is challenging as it requires passion and a big heart. But that won't hinder me to show my integrity in my line of work and to Odfjell as well. And by simply being hired to take on a job that is usually a man's, I think I am already making a contribution to Odfjell.
de la Rosa: I'm glad to see that women are now acknowledged to be part of this male-dominated profession. By being successful in my career, I can encourage the future generation of female seafarers that they, too, can excel in this field. In Odfjell, I will stay committed to ensuring safety and embodying the company's mission and vision.
Nonato: One contribution I would like to make in the industry is to inspire others to treat each and every one equally. It is important that we respect each other regardless of gender, as we all have a unique role to take and different responsibilities to accomplish while on board. I am glad that I see this on board Odfjell ships, and that I have never felt discriminated. I hope this will be observed on board all our vessels, and that an environment like this, that is built on respect, will be the norm in the maritime industry.
Sandvik: I did not set out in this industry thinking I would change the world; I was just happy to do my job. The more I sail and the more experience I gain, I find it becoming important to shatter some glass ceilings. The less developed areas of the world have less respect for me as an Officer and I meet discrimination on a regular basis in certain areas of the globe. I challenge them back by being professional and by showing them that I can do my job, just as well as my male colleagues, and by demanding respect. The success of this philosophy is varying and depends on the region. While I do not walk around with a mantra in mind during my daily work, I do wish all my colleagues to be safe and to return home in the same condition as when I first met them.
Strøm: Make Odfjell the best place to work, and make sure that it is fun and safe here. Keep everyone safe and feel like they have an extra family when they are on board. I would also like to make sure that we are training our trainees, cadets and boys to be the best seafarers they can be. And of course, do my job in the best and safest way possible, ALL the time.
