NORD NEWS

8
I
have always believed that good things in life
happen for a purpose. But unlike all other
common fairy tales this one started with a
phone call.
My husband, very briefly and in his usual
style informed me that I have been "promoted" to
"godmother" for one of the first 3500 TEU new
container vessels to be delivered by STX Korea for
Reederei “NORD”. Then again very mysteriously
he asked me to choose between "spring" and
"summer". I immediately chose summer, because
that is my favorite time of the year and of course it
was already the middle of July and summer was in
full swing. But when I hung up the phone suddenly
it all clicked and reality stepped in. I was so thrilled
and excited that for some time I couldn't believe
that this is actually happening. But as my dream will
tell you, it really came true.
I realized that perhaps I was "promoted" to
Godmother after my extensive "apprenticeship"
while attending naming ceremonies for Reederei
“NORD”s new buildings in Mokpo and Ulsan for
the period 2000-2004. I was always impressed by
the strict protocol and attention to detail that
“NORD” as a Company and the Oldendorff’s as a
family in particular, required for each event and for
a moment I wondered whether I am up to the task.
Although I was well aware of the
importance and responsibility of naming a new
ship, still I had to leaf through my “NORD” photo
albums to revive all these precious moments again.
And so, slowly but surely my "godmother to be"
confidence was restored. I have one old brass life
MY “NORDSU
boat compass that I keep as a talisman with me, so
I took it out of the box and put it in my purse for
good luck, just in case!
I had already sailed before with most of the
commanding officers and some of the crew of
“NORDSPRING” and “NORDSUMMER”,
during my trips on board the “NORD” ships with
my husband way back in the 90s , so I was very
glad to see them now as matured, confident and
experienced seamen, faithful to the traditions of the
Company. The “NORD” site team members in
STX were the first to congratulate and support me
in my new role, and I appreciated their help while
the preparations for the occasion took place in the
yard.
Then it was time to attend the ceremonies.
The night before the actual naming we welcomed
the “NORD” Owners and Managers for the prenaming
cocktail and dinner, which took place in the
picturesque APEC "NURI MARU" Villa in Busan.
The arrangements and scenery were fantastic and
befitting the occasion. The cordial speeches and
greetings delivered by “NORD”s Owners and STX
Senior Management added an extra spark to the
overall festivity and glamour of the official dinner.
The officers of “NORDSPRING” and
“NORDSUMMER” were looking like
"knights in shining armor" in their immaculate
uniforms and the evening turned out to be extremely
pleasant and enjoyable. We really had a great time!
The next morning , July 12th the weather
was fair as if Mother Nature stopped the rain
especially for “NORD”s joint two-ship naming
Mrs. Romi Dobrev during her speech. Cutting the cord...
NORD NEWS Autumn 2007