Saudi Aramco Vela celebrates 20 years
Posted: 06 October 2004
In 20 years it has grown from four to 28 ships and a multinational workforce of more than 1,000 employees. It ships more than 3 million barrels of Saudi crude oil and other products per day to customers all over the globe.
Vela International Marine Limited on Sept. 29 marked its 20th anniversary with videoconference-linked celebrations in Dhahran and Dubai .
Abdallah S. Jum'ah, Saudi Aramco president and CEO, congratulated Vela's staff, past and present, on the company's success. More than 300 people were invited to the celebrations, and the guest list included employees, former Vela executives, and dignitaries, among whom was the consul general of Saudi Arabia in Dubai, Ambassador Humoud Farraj bin Nadir.
Jum'ah noted that some have expressed doubt about Saudi Aramco's ability to reliably deliver all the crude oil the world demands. "Every time that doubt was cast," he said, "our people in Saudi Aramco, composed of more than 50 nationalities, rose to the challenges and delivered. We have always delivered."
He said the Kingdom will work to continue being the most reliable supplier. "We have reserves, we have production capability, and we have the stamina of our people, who are working for the prosperity of mankind."
Jum'ah focused his remarks on the value of employees. "Saudi Aramco is not only metal, is not only technology, is not only iron and steel and wood and ships and so on, but it is also the human resources and the human spirit and human dedication. … We stand for the prosperity of humanity, and I am calling on all our people to stand for that, and make that their objective. Our objective is really to help the world live better, to see our children, our grandchildren and the children and grandchildren of everybody on this planet Earth to be better economically, health-wise, morally and physically.
"And with that, again, I congratulate Vela. In Dubai , I congratulate every one of you. I congratulate everyone here and in our offices worldwide for a job well done."
Saleh B. K'aki, Vela president and CEO, gave a brief history of the company and indicated that, although there will be challenges along the way, he is confident that the workforce that has been assembled will be able to meet those challenges.
K'aki explained that, 20 years ago, Saudi Aramco had a vision and established Vela to provide secure and reliable marine transportation of Saudi crude oil. Vela realized the vision and now provides a vital service to Saudi Aramco and worldwide users of petroleum products by hauling more than 1 billion barrels a year.
"Over the years, Vela has evolved in size and functions," K'aki said. "In the early days of the company, day-to-day ship operations were performed by several ship management contractors. As our confidence and expertise grew, we transferred this function to our valued workforce as an in-house ship manager. This gave Vela direct and complete control over quality, performance and cost.
"In 1995, a Vela operations office was established in Dubai to provide marine operations, purchasing and accounting support for the VLCC fleet, and by 1997, we assumed management of the entire fleet.
"We have always been proud of our multinational workforce, which contributes to the well-being of the company," he said. "You are the reason we hold a respected position within the shipping industry."
Vela's Marine Operations Department manager, Tom E. Allen, addressed the audience in Dubai , paying tribute to the seafarers who actually crew Vela's ships. He saluted Vela's 20 senior officers who were there for a corrosion course and a semi-annual senior officers conference.
"These are men who turn those big oil and product vessels into safe, efficient, cost-effective and reliable vehicles that deliver over 3 million barrels per day of Saudi Arabian crude and products to Saudi Aramco customers," Allen said. "We especially salute these 20 and all Vela's sea staff for getting us to this 20th anniversary. Thank you for joining us tonight and thank you for your dedication and your hard work."
Allen went on to say that Vela's name comes from a Southern Hemisphere constellation, and Vela's ships' names are taken from stars - Polaris Star, Aldebaran Star, and Leo Star, for example. But, he said, "Vela's real stars are the 800 officers and crew who run Vela's ships."
Capt. Paul Armitage, who joined Vela and commanded his first Vela ship in September 1993, shared with the audience a few of his experiences from the perspective of a master serving on Vela vessels.
Armitage emphasized the positive role that senior management plays in supporting those on board ship. He also acknowledged the manner in which management communicates a positive attitude toward seagoing staff, the concern for their well-being, training and development, and most importantly, their safety.
(Article by Bennie H. Brown)
Posted by Alexander Lindsay, Editor Pipeline Magazine
Information supplied by companies
or PR agencies who are responsible for content. Send press releases
to info@pipelinedubai.com |
