Odfjell Quarterly October 2012

The OdfjellGas unitBy Margrethe Gudbrandsen, Communication Manager, BergenOdfjell Gas Carriers represents a newdivision within the Odfjell Group. Giventhat they are still quite a small part of thegroup, they will initially have to be quiteself sufficient. Taking delivery of the newships and ensuring that they have the rightpersonnel in place for the Bow Gallant assoon as it was delivered has meant that ithas been a hectic start for this new division.In addition there have been other issues tomanage such as finding office space andensuring staff are released from previouspositions.Closing the last gas tradein 1987 and starting the first in 2012Knut H. Holsen is the newly appointedSenior Vice President for the unit whichcurrently consists of three employees. Withbackground in the gas industry he is in manyways representing the ‘red thread’ in the gassegment. Rumours say that you were theone who closed the last gas trade in 1987and now here you are starting the first againin 2012: – In a way that is correct. The last ofour gas ships were sold in 1987, and the vesselwas fixed from South America to the Far Eastwith a cargo of Propylene. It was done witha Japanese charterer through our office inHouston. And this week we have concludedthe first cargo on the Bow Gallant and we arevery excited, Knut H. Holsen says.Various possibilities for expansionFor now, both the unit and the fleet is small.Odfjell Gas is currently run by a small unit. From left; Harald Folland, Knut H. Holsen and Christian Stensaker– Within the next few years we want tobecome a respected player in the market forshipping of petrochemical gases worldwide.There are various ways this can be done andwe are in the process of exploring these atthe moment, Holsen continues. All of theshore based personnel have great knowledgeand experience from the complex chemicaltanker market. However, unlike the multiplecargo programmes and numerous ports ofload/discharge that parcel tankers endure,the gas market is much smaller and most ofthe time it involves one cargo on each vesselper voyage, one load and one discharge port.– Nevertheless, even though the marketsare different, there are still many synergiesand we can take many advantages from ourexperience in the chemical market. Althoughour clients would be different people, manyof the actual customers would be the same,and we would be serving the same line ofproducts and markets which is an advantage.Why chose a ‘new’ playerOdfjell has a good standing as we are seenas a respectable and major player within thechemical tanker market. However, despitehaving a sound history with the chemicalmarket, we will be regarded as a ‘new’ playerwithin the gas market. Why should customerschoose a ‘new’ player, such as Odfjell, aboveexisting customers; what are the majoradvantages of using Odfjell?– I do believe we have a good name in theindustry. Our customers should expect a highstandard of performance. The ships we haveacquired are good vessels and we expect thatwe shall be able to service our customers in avery favourable way, ends Holsen.NR.03/ 127The gas unitName: Knut Henrik HolsenPosition: SVP Odfjell GasPrevious experience: Spent over 25 years withOdfjell in various positions in Marketing/Chartering. During my early days as a traineeI got involved in the chartering of the gasvessels and at that time we operated fourships and they were trading in all cornersof the world. Since the late ‘80s the mainfocus has been India/Middle East and lateron Africa. This is a very exciting part of theworld and it has lots of opportunities.Name: Christian StensakerPosition: Vice President BusinessDevelopmentMain tasks: Business Development,Commercial operationPrevious experience: Experience as Serviceand Pool Manger for Chemical and CPP vessels.Managing Director for Iver Ships and laterBrostrom Tankers in Singapore. Vice Presidentin DNB Singapore, Corporate Banking Divisionfor Shipping. Managing Director for HellespontTankers in Hamburg, GermanyWhy gas? It is an exciting new opportunity inan industry that indeed has a promising future.Name: Harald FollandPosition: Senior Ship OperatorMain tasks: Safe and cost-efficient shipoperation for vessels allocated.Previous Experience: 4 years Nautical studiesat Ålesund Maritime College, Deck officerwith Stolt Parcel Tankers, 9 year as operator/senior operator with Odfjell Tankers.Why Odfjell Gas? Intrigued by the possibilityto be part of something new from the verybeginning and working in a small organisationwith opportunities to affect the way wemove forward.odfjell quarterly magazine