It was extra special for Chief Operating Officer Harald Fotland to welcome the awardees this time, after nearly two years without any in-person meetings and in a pandemic where seafarers have worked through unprecedented challenges.
The COO introduced the award ceremony by highlighting historical events and company developments since the first awardee started out at sea back in 1973.
“For some of us, this is just history, but the colleagues we honor tonight have experienced it all from start to finish. From day to day, things may seem to stay the same, but looking back over time we realize that Odfjell has been through significant change and has taken steps that have had major influence on the company’s development.
Change will continue, but we cannot have change without a solid foundation. We need stability, and the most important contributor to stability is competent and loyal co-workers. The seafarers we honor today represent this. Loyalty is not a given, and it is therefore a special privilege and honor for me to present the awards to these esteemed ambassadors of the Odfjell culture. Thank you”.
Awardees:
Ragnar Kjøde Jr, Chief Engineer
John Jarle Wang, Captain
Rune Johan Kristensen, Chief Engineer
Sindre Myrene, Electrician
Chief Engineer Ragnar Kjøde Jr.
Electrician Sindre Myrene
Chief Engineer Rune Johan Kristensen
Captain John Jarle Wang
Chief Engineer Ragnar Kjøde Jr.
Ragnar Kjøde Jr has a 48-year long seafaring career, and was awarded the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association’s gold medal for 30+ years in the service; of these 17 consecutive years with Odfjell. He started his career at sea in June 1973 on board Ingeren by Jacob Kjøde AS. He since worked for several other shipping companies before joining Odfjell from 1989 to 2001. He was back from 2004 after a short interim with Hurtigruten OVDS, and is today Chief Engineer on Bow Summer.
Captain John Jarle Wang
John Jarle Wang started his seafaring career in May 1979 on J.O. Odfjell’s M/T Alecto, and worked for several other Norwegian shipping companies until he joined Odfjell in 2005. He sailed on various Odfjell ships before he retired in July this year. He was awarded the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association’s gold medal for his 42 years in service; of these, 16 years with Odfjell.
Chief Engineer Rune Johan Kristensen
Rune Johan Kristensen started his Odfjell career on August 1, 1996. Through his career, he has sailed on board a broad selection of Odfjell’s chemical tankers, and is currently with Bow Chain. He was awarded a gold watch for his 25 consecutive years in Odfjell.
Engineer Sindre Myrene
Sindre Myrene started his Odfjell career in August 1995 as Electrician on the then newbuilt Bow Fagus. He sailed with Bow Fagus from her maiden voyage up until 2002. From then, he has sailed with various Odfjell ships, and is today with Bow Chain. He was awarded the gold watch for his 26 years in Odfjell.
The award ceremony was part of the Odfjell Fleet Week, a summit for seafarers and shore staff focusing on knowledge-sharing, competence development and team building.
