Odfjell'ers honored for loyalty and service

Sixteen seafarers and two office employees (also former seafarers) were honored before an audience of seafarers, family members and shore colleagues from Odfjell’s global offices. VP Maritime Personnel Svend Foyn-Bruun, VP Fleet Management Knut Erik Fredriksen and VP-Head of Crewing Agnes Enesio presented the plaque and gold watch to the following awardees:

• Chief Engineer Charlie Alicaway
• Bosun Roderick Angeles 
• Payroll Specialist Antonio Aquino
• Pumpman Zacarias De Jesus
• Chief Engineer Crisanto De Vera
• Chief Engineer Rene Dela Torre
• Motorman Joild Evangelista
• Motorman Manuel Gabuat
• Second Engineer Renato Gomez
• Chief Engineer Stein Harald Karlsen
• Motorman Jigger Lupio 
• Motorman Ruel Manuel
• Fitter Ramon Montealto
• Chief Engineer Edgar Pineda
• Motorman Eduardo Rioflorido
• Captain Oliver Tongol
• Able Seaman Ritchie Vasquez
• Captain Remigio Zamora

The ceremony was formally opened with some inspirational words from VP Fleet Management Knut Erik Fredriksen. In his speech, Fredriksen looked back to 1985, the year when one of the awardees joined Odfjell. He shared momentous occasions from Odfjell's past and notable events from history—key moments that while for the rest are historical facts, were actual experience for the awardees.

Marine Manager Jan Ove Ødegård, humbled and at the same time proud of the loyal colleagues who have left their mark in Odfjell, led the toast for the awardees.

The Manila team had made a 46-minute long video tribute with greetings for the awardees:

Ma. Sylvia Pineda, wife of Chief Engineer Edgar Pineda, honored the important role of fellow wives in the household and in the family, especially when their seafarer husbands are away.

In response, Captain Remigio Zamora looked back to his personal history as an Odfjell'er, both at sea and ashore.

"My gratitude to Odfjell cannot be expressed by words. It is this company and the people within who made my life, fulfilled my dreams and supported me throughout my career, both as a sea-based and as a land-based employee."

VP Maritime Personnel Svend Foyn-Bruun concluded the ceremony by acknowledging the loyalty and service of the awardees, the participation from colleagues who attended the Fleet Week, the hard work by the organizers, and the lively hosting by Quality Controller Fleet Performance Tonchi Mendoza.

Check out this video featuring highlights from the evening: