THE WORLD OF OILTANKING VOL. 24/3 DECEMBER 2012 connections

businessHealthy EDITORIAL CONTENTS

Contents

EUROPE 06 We can, we care ... we celebrate 08 Conference with fruitful results 09 OTIMS goes online

ASIA-PACIFIC 04 Wellness at work Health INDIA 18 Clean energy in Southern India 18 check 20 Healthy beginnings at IOT CLEAN ENERGY MIDDLE EAST 24 Niche market presents opportunities

When people meet they often exchange “How are It is therefore that Oiltanking does not solely aims NORTH AMERICA 30 Oiltanking Houston crude oil you?” or as common in the Asian Pacific region for a healthy organizational structure but also expansion project “Have you had your lunch?". These are polite emphasizes on the actual health of its employees. 32 From "American Paradise" to questions – though in most cases it is rather a Being our most important resource providing "Sportsman's Paradise" way to greet each other and/or an introduction for them with a healthy workplace and taking care of small talk than the expression of a profound colleagues’ emotional and physical health is of “Green Economy: Does it include you?" interest in the actual mental or physical health utmost importance for Marquard & Bahls and its LATIN AMERICA 40 status of the other person. Nevertheless, personal subsidiaries. 42 Rattling facts wellbeing matters a lot and individuals as well as 40 societies are becoming increasingly aware of It only remains for me to add: “Eat well, move 10 Attaching great weight to health personal and public health. Also companies show more, be happy!"* and enjoy reading our latest People GREEN ECONOMY growing interest in health by implementing a issue of connections – which – you probably & Places 12 Interview | Meet Oiltanking’s new healthy organizational structure and by focusing already guessed – focuses especially on health Managing Director on the health of their employees. this time, 15 Bridging the gap If we go by the attributes in McKinseys “Anatomy 16 We can, we care ... for occupational health of a healthy corporation” (Quarterly 2007) I’m Balancing act pleased to say that Oiltanking is “well prepared”, 22 “resilient to shock”, we “execute well” and we try 26 Cultural Experiences | „Round the to “align employees around common purpose". Carlin Conner world ticket” Just as human health improves when cared for, Managing Director Oiltanking GmbH employees will experience a positive attitude 38 Preventing falls at worksites towards the company when they feel safe, valued for their contribution and being looked after. A Lexicon | LWD * Slogan of the stand on nutrition and physical activity of Leisure 11 healthy corporate culture improves the the European Commission's Directorates-General for Health and Consumers and for Agriculture and Rural Development Healthy hints performance of a business in a number of areas. at the 20 KM of Brussels, Belgium (May 27, 2012). & Fun 34 37 Number | 2 out of 11 44 Sport | Run for Leukemia 44 45 Sport | Strikingly good pose RUNNING IMPRINT connections Vol. 24/3/2012 Published by Oiltanking GmbH, Corporate Center, Admiralitaetstrasse 55, 46 Sport | Just keep running! 20459 Hamburg, Germany, www.oiltanking.com, Telephone +49-40-37099-485, Fax +49-40-37099-499 E-Mail [email protected] Coordinator Gabi Wuestenberg, Manager Communications Editor Renate Eijkholt 47 Reader's Corner Design raz design, Hamburg Print BEISNER DRUCK GMBH & Co. KG, Hamburg Published Three times a year Last but not least | “Dirt is good” Copy Deadline vol 25/1 05.02.2013 48

Print compensated Id-No. 1224533 www.bvdm-online.de 2 CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS 3 Asia Pacific Asia Pacific

“I enjoyed this workout program with my Massage Team from the Singapore colleagues immensely. It was a lot of fun Association of the Visually Wellness Handicapped (SAVH) to provide in- and also enhanced team building among us. office massages (twice a month) to promote relaxation, stress reduction, Now I definitely feel healthier than before!” and pain and tension relief for the at work Wong Lai Pek, Senior Accounting Executive staff. The terminal and employees split the costs of each service they In August 2012 Oiltanking Singapore booked. company level, we have planned a series of events launched its workplace health promotion (lunchtime talks and after-work exercises in the workplace) To boost both mental and physical health, colleagues also to educate our staff and also help them workout and break initiative. After personal “physical attended exercise classes. After office hours, the office into a sweat.” The WHP program will also have such lasting tests”, employees are offered a variety building entrance was conveniently transformed into a and positive outcomes as reduced turnover and of measures, all aimed at improving “workout studio” with colleagues enthusiastically taking absenteeism, enhanced motivation and improved part in kickboxing, cardio fit and body conditioning. productivity, as well as improve the Oiltanking Singapore their health and quality of life. Oiltanking also goes beyond the confines of the terminal to image as a more positive and caring organization. In participate in sporting events such as bowling and future, statements like “I feel so stressed at work and badminton. Colleagues increasingly take part in runs and home. How can I relax?” or “I’m too tired to exercise after Relaxation The light marathons like the Standard Chartered Marathon 2012, work” will hopefully be a thing of the past. hands of the blind Run for Hope 2012 (an annual charity event to raise funds masseurs provide much- for cancer research), the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge needed stress relief. 2012 and the Jurong Lake Run 2012. *According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 1946 health was defined as “a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” In order to help manage the program and promote workshops and activities, a WHP Manager (an employee who plans and manages the WHP program) was appointed OM Creating wellbeing and transformation in a along with participants from other yoga class held at the Oiltanking Singapore office. “Just 30 seconds! C’mon, you can do it! Hang in there …” pre-existing committees to help If you had to squat with your upper legs at 90 degrees share the work and deal with the to your lower legs, back straightened and only your of health has changed. implementation. The upcoming shoulders leaning against the wall, how many minutes or On average, activities will be communicated via seconds do you think you could maintain that position? employees work eight email and posters. Based on When the colleagues from the Oiltanking terminals in hours a day. As such, feedback from staff via online Singapore took part in this sport assessment in May 2012, the workplace is a key surveys and attendance records, not before long some of them were quite taken aback at setting for promoting the most relevant activities were their physical condition. And it was the same story when positive health by selected for the employees. These they had to jump over benches for three minutes and do creating healthy environments and providing health activities provided them with the an arm/a shoulder flexibility test. In no time, some felt promotion programs and services in the workplace. By motivation and skills to improve their muscles aching; they were out of puff and felt taking up the cause to create a healthy workforce Oiltanking not only their own lives/lifestyles exhausted — even though they believe that they were Singapore launched the Workplace Health Promotion (WHP) but also those of their family quite fit. These three exercises were the lead-up toa initiative of the Health Promotion Board, an agency run by members. Paul Chung, a Regional detailed health promotion campaign within Oiltanking the Singaporean government. Human Resources Manager, Singapore and were intended to take stock of the highlights the many advantages: colleagues’ personal results and eventually galvanize them At the end of June, the Oiltanking colleagues participated “The attraction of the WHP program into action. in the first of a series of workshops, learning about is that it enjoys credible support relaxation techniques such as aromatherapy and self- from the government in terms of In the past, people believed that being healthy meant massage, as well as office ergonomics. In addition, funding, recognition and a network being free from sickness or disease*. Today, the definition Oiltanking Singapore enlisted the services of the Mobile of support agencies. On the

4 CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS 5 Europe Europe

Excitement on March 28, 1992 Essential move As the terminal’s Oiltanking Malta welcomed its operations are steadily growing, the first vessel, MV A.P. Moeller. office building also needed an extension. We can, we care, we celebrate

Besides celebrating its 20th anniversary, Oiltanking Malta had another good reason to celebrate: The On October 5, 2012, the new extension was officially possess mineral resources, it has skillful people and a inauguration of the inaugurated by His Excellency the President of Malta, Dr. geographically strategic position in the middle of the George Abela, in the presence of Oiltanking employees and Mediterranean, a sea where a considerable amount of extension of its office and its customers. The President highlighted the importance of merchant shipping traffic passes. In honor of this occasion, operator canteen facilities German foreign direct investment and the impact of Hellmuth Weisser, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, in Birzebbugia on October Oiltanking’s investment on the Malta Freeport. Around a Liesel Weisser, Member of the Board, and colleagues from 1,000 ships use the company’s facilities every year, the Oiltanking head office and clients were also present. 4 respectively 5, 2012. generating other services such as tugboats, mooring, pilots and ships’ agents. He added that while Malta might not

For just one night, on October 4, 2012 Oiltanking Malta tweaked the company slogan slightly to “We can, we Pioneers Karmenu Gerada, Rachel Caruana and Alex care, we celebrate”. The company had Fenech (from left) have been working for Oiltanking every reason to do so as it celebrated Malta since the very beginning twenty years ago. Round tour Dirk Exalto proudly showed the honorable 20 years of operations in Malta. The guests, among them His Excellency the President of Malta, festivities were organized to thank all Dr. George Abela and His Excellency the German Ambassador Rachel Caruana — the very first employee at Oiltanking health issues, the stakeholders who have contributed to Malta, Dr. Hubert Ziegler, the terminal (from left). Malta who initially worked as a secretary and switched to I was away to the success of Oiltanking Malta the position of Logistics Manager in 2007. for some time through the years. The Magazino Hall, "I joined Oiltanking Malta as a secretary on September 1, in 2011. Surprised but happy when the company offered one of Malta’s many historical landmarks 1990 and was totally on my own at the time. For the first me another job possibility to resume working, I accepted. and in actual fact an oil storage warehouse back in the tanks (5,000 cbm to 35,700 cbm). Since 2012, Oiltanking month, I didn’t even have an office and worked from I am very proud to be seen in white shirts with the 18th century, was chosen as the venue for the occasion has also facilitated the importation of liquid petroleum gas by home. Later, I found an apartment, which we used as a Oiltanking Malta logo on them." which his Honorable Prime Minister of Malta, Dr. Lawrence means of a pipeline built based on state-of-the-art technology. base for the first two years until we started operations Gonzi, bestowed with his attendance. and had our office at the terminal. Working at Oiltanking Alex Fenech — joined Oiltanking Malta as an operator It was the expansion of the company’s operations that for half of my life has been great and I am looking forward at the outset of 1992 and has been helping to shape it The Oiltanking Malta terminal located in the Malta Freeport necessitated larger offices to accommodate more operators to many more years to come!" ever since. He was promoted to Shift Leader and then zone has been constantly growing over the years. Back in and upgrade the facilities for the welfare of its 60 Operations Manager. 1992, the modest terminal handled just a few vessels a employees. Therefore, a new two-story building was Karmenu Gerada — first hired as a driver, then worked "20 years seem like a long time but looking back I realize month (52 per year) and 240,000 tons of products a year. constructed that includes a new canteen, lockers and as an operator for 10 years before he cut back and is now that they have passed very quickly. The growth of the Today, it is a well-established and major player in the showers for the operating staff on the ground floor. The doing errands and filing. terminal was in gradual stages. And it was not always Mediterranean oil storage business, busy handling around first floor consists of offices and a new conference room to "I started out as the company driver for Oiltanking Malta plain sailing; there were several hurdles along the way 1,000 vessels and 7.5 million tons of products annually. With cater to the growing number of office staff. In 2013, in November 1990, although back then we didn’t even but with good planning and support from my superiors the recent commissioning of an additional fuel oil tank with Oiltanking Malta plans to upgrade the existing control have a company car! I switched to work with the operators and colleagues, we managed to overcome them to the a capacity of 13,400 cbm in February 2012, the storage room, which will include an extension to house new high- when the company started its operations. Due to some best of our abilities." capacity has increased to 562,000 cbm spread amongst 25 tech work stations and control panels.

6 CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS 7 Europe Europe

Conference with OTIMS goes

Review Oiltanking colleagues fruitful results Nina Kreander, Chin Hao Bay online and Merje Volt swaping ideas on EPCA (from left).

At the beginning of October photo: courtesy of EPCA The Oiltanking Information Management System 2012, ten colleagues from (OTIMS), a secure document database for Oiltanking terminals in Asia, compliance management, went online on December Europe and the Middle East 3, 2012. OTIMS web users now have the latest version of all attended one of the most important documents at hand round the clock. important petrochemical conferences, the European Petrochemical Association Given the constant developments on the (EPCA), in Budapest, software market and the integration of several Hungary, which finished on a stand-alone databases in a “one-stop shopping” very fruitful note. solution with state-of-the-art web technology, Oiltanking began to look for alternatives and reconsider its existing technology. In close cooperation with the In the first week of October 2012, the chemical As it was possible to get a list of the participants in Marquard & Bahls IT department, business community visited the 46th European advance, the Oiltanking colleagues contacted people the initial steps were accomplished Petrochemical Association (EPCA) — a unique network ahead of time to organize meetings. On average, by transferring WebOffice 2 to a event that has grown steadily over the years. In the past everyone had around twenty meetings in the space of web-enabled environment with IBM XPages. three years, the meetings either took place in Berlin/ three to four days. “The EPCA is a perfect opportunity to The next step was to convert the Oiltanking Germany or Budapest/Hungary as both cities epitomize meet many different and potential customers and a Information Management System (OTIMS) into a web- this business sector in their own special way: Berlin decent amount of business stems from EPCA for us,” enabled environment. represents the significance of the chemical industry in comments Erik Dopper, Oiltanking Stolthaven Antwerp/ Readily available Germany and the rest of the world, while Budapest Belgium, on the worth of the conference for the company. The OTIMS database is the Oiltanking quality management Oiltanking OTIMS is now implemented in a web- functions as a cultural gateway between Eastern and Despite the tough program, the fun factor wasn’t in any system which permits the distribution of guidelines, enabled environment. Western Europe. Together, they form the greatest way forgotten about during the daytime or the evening instructions, forms and documents to the global terminal consumer market in the world. get-togethers. network to assure the high-quality, process-oriented completion of internal and external tasks. Thanks to This year the “who’s who” of the petrochemical business OTIMS, which has been in use since October 2009, convened in Budapest: Producers, traders, shippers, Oiltanking is able to integrate different standards, The OTIMS Web application has several advantages for brokers, transporters, storage providers, distributors, including Safety, Environment and Quality. This database the end user: users and all related service-providers. Among the Crunchy treat offers Oiltanking the opportunity to comply with the several thousand attendees, ten colleagues from Last year Oiltanking various certifications like ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and • Access at any time via the Internet Oiltanking terminals were also present: Chin Hao Bay, brought along OSHAS 18001 among others. Today, OTIMS consists of a • Accessible with smart phones (iPhone, Andy Loh, Thomas Chee (all three from Singapore), Nina potato chip boxes database installed at each OTIMS user’s work station. To blackberry) and tablet devices in the shape of a Kreander (Kotka/Finland), Merje Volt (Tallinn/Estonia), meet future needs, Oiltanking decided to activate OTIMS • Easy usage tank bearing their Johan Verellen, Nancy De Groof and Erik Dopper (all from logo — a gimmick for easy web access for the user via an Internet Browser. • Self-explanatory Oiltanking Stolthaven Antwerp/Belgium), Erwin some visitors still After 25 days of design and implementation, Mortelmans (Oiltanking Odfjell Oman) and Daan Vos remember and asked OTIMS went online on December 3, 2012, and has been And last but not least, OTIMS Web users can access the (Oiltanking Europe). after this year. accessible to all colleagues ever since. latest version of an important document at any time.

8 CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS 9 People & Places LEXICON

Attaching Missing great LWD today The abbreviation “LWD” has a number of different weight meanings and the context tells us whether it refers to a “Little White Dress”, the Dutch city of “Leeuwarden”, “Logging While Drilling” or “Lost Work Days” — as we do to health here. But what exactly is a “Lost Work Day”. At Oiltanking, LWDs are counted as calendar days (including weekends, holidays or free shifts) from the day after an accident has Oiltanking Copenhagen, Denmark, has always been health conscious. The recent occurred and that the employee missed. Absence due to measurements taken will increase the colleagues’ health awareness to an even commuting accidents or non-occupational illness is not included. higher degree by getting them actively involved. Due to Oiltanking’s core business and the high proportion of A treadmill, dumbbell rack, bench press, shoulder Commitee took immediate action. Danish pastries? Soda? operational work it involves, there is an inherent risk of a press, lat pull down and hyperextension — sounds like the Nope — now a new and healthier food supplier caters for potential accident. The frequency of accidents resulting in apparatus of a wellequipped fitness studio, doesn’t it? Well, the terminal. In order to encourage smokers to quit one or more days off work per million working hours (Lost these do indeed belong to a fitness room — not at a public smoking, courses are offered and information about the Work Day Case Rate) could be again reduced at the Oiltanking studio, but the Oiltanking terminal in Copenhagen. And it risks of smoking is clearly displayed in the smoking room. facilities worldwide in 2011. In order to prevent accidents or their reoccurrence, is weighty proof that the Health and Safety Committee Last but not least, to increase physical activity among all all incidents and near misses are carefully reviewed and analyzed. Improving does not take the endeavor to improve colleagues’ health employees, a fitness room with a wide range of equipment all aspects of operations and promoting a proactive safety culture is a constant lightly. At the beginning of 2012, the committee discussed has been set up in the office building. endeavor of Oiltanking. and looked into possible health initiatives. The objective was to heighten every employee’s focus on her/his personal The colleagues in Copenhagen already proved how sporty health and ensure that all of them were healthy enough to they are two years ago when they jumped at the chance to Total no. of LWDC x 1,000,000 working hours do their respective jobs at the terminal. This attempt take part in “Getting the World Moving”, the world’s largest LWDC-R = gained additional momentum due to the fact that Oiltanking workplace health and wellness program, the Global Total no. of annual working hours incl. overtime Copenhagen became an integrated part of the Copenhagen Corporate Challenge (GCC). For the future, the plan is to fire brigade’s first response effort and operators were continue the current health campaign with both a dietician trained as smoke divers in 2010. This entails having to and regular fitness sessions at the terminal to maintain the Definitions pass a physical medical test conducted by the local fire focus. But with their determination, the colleagues are brigade every second year. In 2012 the check-up was due bound to keep on moving! Work-related Injury work-related injury has to be counted as a Lost Work and the terminal initiated a health campaign for all A work-related injury is any injury such as a cut, sprain, Day (LWD) starting the day after the accident and ending employees. In good shape Not only does the new fitness fracture, etc. which results from a work-related activity the day prior to returning to work. room at Oiltanking Copenhagen look good, but also or exposure involving a single incident in the work the additional measures taken to emphasize the Therefore, in May/June 2012 the Danish Heart Association environment, such as onetime chemical exposure or LWDC-R (Lost Work Day Case Rate) employees’ state of health. performed personalized health checks at the terminal. back problems from a fall. The Lost Work Day Case Rate (LWDC-R) is the number of Physical measurements such as blood pressure, blood accidents involving Oiltanking employees that result in sugar and cholesterol were just one part of the health Work Accident one or more lost work days due to work-related injury check. It was rounded off by an individual consultation A work accident is any work-related event resulting in an per 1,000,000 working hours. with a nurse from the Heart Association for every employee. injury to an employee, contractor or other third party with subsequent days away from work, restricted work, LWDC-S (Lost Work Day Case Severity) Once again, it became clear how important it is to job transfer, medical treatment or first aid treatments. The Lost Work Day Case Severity is the average of lost preferably avoid or at least reduce smoking, alcohol working days due to work accidents of employees consumption and stress, as well as have a healthy diet and LWD (Lost Work Day) resulting in one or more days away from work. exercise regularly to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Based on Any calendar day of absenteeism from work due to a the general recommendations, the Health & Safety

10 CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS 11 Interview Interview

connections: How did you and your family feel about moving back to Hamburg? Carlin Conner: Beyond dealing with the normal hassles and anxieties of any move, my wife and kids have been My main objectives are: extremely supportive. Karen, my wife, has been the one taking care of the actual moving as I have been on the road quite a bit. She, as most of our spouses I suspect, ➜ Absolutely support the “best deserves so much credit for her support over the years. My success has been dependent on her support. I am certain in class” HSSE approaches these moves are much more difficult on the family than the executive. I also have a teenager that has made this move and results that are achieved once before and a five year old. How they process the to date — sustainability and move is completely different, but both are excited about the adventure that is now in their path. I am so proud of corporate social responsibility their resiliency and also very excited about the opportunities Meet this move provides my family. are more than just a fashion statement for Oiltanking Oiltanking’s What do you think will be the most challenging task in assuming your new new position? ➜ To build upon the excellent The good news is that we have an experienced, talented and energetic team managing our various businesses. existing foundation with Additionally the businesses, for the most part, are extremely well positioned to continue to serve our exciting new growth in and Managing customers going forward. out of our historical

My biggest challenge will be to continue the very successful businesses regional management approach while also ensuring that Director we are managing in a consistent, thoughtful and strategic way. A secondary challenge is the luxury problem of ➜ managing and prioritizing the many opportunities that face Increase talent management us today. Due to our success we have become a “go to” efforts company in our industry and therefore we have more than enough projects to select and pursue. Sometimes this “oversupply” results in opportunities that we will not

A familiar face — at least for the colleagues at the Oiltanking head office — is back from Houston, Texas/ USA to take up a new challenge. Carlin Conner has already been with the company for twelve years, three which he spent in Hamburg, Germany, between 2003 and 2006. On September 1, 2012, he was appointed as the new Managing Director of Oiltanking GmbH.

12 CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS 13 Interview People & Places

”I like for our teams to taste and Bridging the gap

enjoy success.“ Marquard & Bahls sets great store by taking corporate responsibility in different areas. Our social responsibility thereby includes matters related to work-life balance. Here are just two recent examples of how the company tries to ensure and protect the well-being of its employees. pursue and thus we must say no to projects that in most and/or family/friends down in whatever I am doing, cycles would be pursued. including a friendly basketball game.

Just a phone call away With the help of Play it safe How would you describe your work attitude? What personal traits do you the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), I like for our teams to taste and enjoy success. In this appreciate in colleagues? employees can count on confidential advice What most kids call the best time of the year — the and support. regard I truly believe that well prepared, smart and creative Honesty, diligence, respect for others, intellectual curiosity school holidays — often becomes the most stressful time approaches to opportunities and challenges usually leads and open to change. for working parents as they have to plan and organize to success. I am also a firm believer that a strong team Helpful childcare for this period. culture is a consistent success factor in leading companies. Since the beginning of 2011, Marquard & Bahls has been Surrounding myself with motivated, intellectually curious What do you do in your spare time? hotline offering support to colleagues in Hamburg with “Kidz and energetic colleagues is always my objective. In addition I like to play sports, especially golf, but it seems I do not Playground”. Kidz Playground organizes holiday camps for I will not stand for myopic and self-serving colleagues, that get to play very often. Traveling with my family, seeing Each and every one of us children aged between six and twelve, where they spend are disrespectful and close minded towards team mates. new sights is exciting and provides for personal growth. I experiences ups and downs from the whole day doing all kinds of sporting activities and Smarts and knowledge will set the stage, respectful also like to read and fish. time to time. Unfortunately, playing with other kids their own age. As a result, not only execution and leadership sets one apart. worries are part of life. Sometimes do the kids have fun, but their parents can also rest it is difficult to find a solution on assured that their children are in good hands. What three things would you take your own or you do not know whom to What inspires you? to a desert island? ask for help. In order to support colleagues Marquard & Bahls supports its employees by assuming two My family, including my parents, give me great inspiration Since you say things and not people, I will have to say: 1) in difficult situations, Marquard & Bahls introduced an thirds of the cost and is glad to see that this service has to achieve. Fear of failure is a strong motivator and the boy scout handbook; 2) a saw; and 3) my new iPhone with “Employee Assistance Program” (EAP) in February 2012, been well received and hopes that parents now agree that fear is not about me, but it is a fear that I will let my team extended batteries! offered by an external consultant, ICAS. Employees of school holidays can actually be fun! Marquard & Bahls and its subsidiaries in Germany and their direct family members can call on an external and www.kidz-playground.de independent consultant on a 24/7 basis and receive Educational background and career path immediate assistance on all kinds of issues. These can be Happy holidays Knowing that their kids are in good of a practical, legal or emotional nature: You may need hands at a holiday camp sponsored by Marquard & I went to a small university in Louisiana where I studied a very nice role that included international business advice on insurance or an inheritance; you may need help Bahls, colleagues no longer have to worry about the statistics, chemistry and environmental sciences. My development and business interactions with boards, in looking for childcare or simply emotional support. The usual holiday problem: “Who will take care of my first job was working as an environmental engineer at shareholders and top management. consultant immediately analyzes the situation and offers children while I am working?”. GATX in Houston where I performed emission modeling advice on the next steps to be taken, for instance. If and completed air permit applications; then I went into In mid-2006 I returned to Houston to manage Oiltanking required, one-on-one sessions can be arranged on a short- operations management, where I was involved in labor North America. In 2011 we successfully offered 30 term basis to treat emotional matters. union negotiations and general management of percent of Oiltanking Houston and Oiltanking Beaumont operations; transferred into sales where I learned how to investors on the NYSE, where at the time of the IPO Of course, everything is handled on a confidential and the business is commercialized. we had a market cap of roughly $800 million USD. anonymous footing. Callers do not even have to provide Within one year, we almost doubled the market cap to their name when seeking assistance. Then in September 2000 I accepted a job at Oiltanking $1.45 billion USD. Houston, working for Jim Schepens and Adrian de The company hopes that the employees keep using this Monchy. I can say that within two months I knew I And then, in the fall of 2012, I was offered and accepted service as it helps address thorny issues before they get found my new home at Oiltanking. Three years later I the position of Managing Director of Oiltanking GmbH out of hand or overcome existing difficulties. accepted an ill-defined role in Hamburg that grew into plus a seat on the Marquard & Bahls Executive Board.

14 CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS 15 People & Places People & Places

Medical care Colleagues and contractors at the Oiltanking terminal in Vitória, Brazil, during their recent health check 2012.

specific country’s legislation, regulations and incentives, but also in accordance with Oiltanking’s principles as defined in its policy. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), occupational health is defined as “The promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being of workers in all occupations by preventing departures from health, controlling risks, and adopting work to people and people to their jobs.” membership agreement with International SOS — the In order to safeguard occupational health, Oiltanking world’s leading provider of medical assistance, continuously improves all aspects of its operations and international healthcare and security services (see also We can, we care promotes a proactive safety culture. Next to the connections vol 23-2, August 2011). In 2011, a group- implementation of adequate management systems that wide travel manual including various health tips was address health aspects, emission controls are performed prepared and distributed. locally and operators are provided with state-of-the art ... for occupational Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to safeguard Last but not least, psychological and social issues are occupational health. also addressed. In line with the commitment to implement measures to increase the work-life balance of Regarding medical care, all Oiltanking profit centers are its employees and offer support in different situations, Oiltanking is organized into various health encouraged to develop programs for conducting regular Marquard & Bahls enlisted the services of an Employee departments, each and every one health checks for their employees. In 2011, such free Assistance Program (EAP) provider. This program has of which is crucial for its smooth Jobs can be quite varied — interesting, medical check-ups were organized by more than 60 supported employees and their family members based in fulfilling, demanding, boring … but what about percent of our locations worldwide. For all employees Germany on a wide range of issues since February 2012 and satisfactory work process. As dangerous? It is an incontrovertible fact that based in Hamburg, health days are organized annually — from work-related and emotional problems to practical the oil and gas industry is one of Oiltanking’s core business, the storage of oil and — this year in September under the topic “Eye Health”. and legal questions. All matters discussed are treated the riskiest when it comes to petrochemical liquids, bears an inherent risk of The health day included theoretical input from experts strictly confidentially. (See also page 15) potential hazards in the workplace. But it is also as well as practical sessions. employee health and safety, an indisputable truth that Oiltanking does its Between the physical and psychological working providing and securing a healthy utmost to guarantee a safe and healthy work To provide the best medical advice and services for all environment and a person there is a two-way relationship and safe work environment is not environment. Point 4 of its Health, Safety, travelers and expats, Marquard & Bahls signed a and a continuous interaction. The work environment can Security & Environmental Policy states that the have both a negative and positive impact on only absolutely necessary; it is also company will, “Provide a safe and healthy work a person’s health and productivity. A healthy a fundamental pillar of Oiltanking’s environment for all employees and contractors colleague is more likely to be productive. Health, Safety, Security & with adequate facilities and appropriate protective Understanding that this helps people and the equipment.” And Point 5 reads: “Identify and organization, Oiltanking took up the cause of Environment (HSSE) culture and analyze potential hazards and security threats creating a healthy, safe und supportive philosophy. One of the many tasks and implement measures to avoid, prevent, environment, which it is constantly refining. of the worldwide local HSSE control and restrict the associated risks.”

Managers is to ensure compliance As different countries take different approaches, in cooperation with colleagues from the HSSE & Corporate Communication department the corporate HSSE & Corporate in Hamburg, Germany, develops group wide The right outfit While unloading a tank minimum requirements in the form of a HSSE truck an operator at Logística de Químicos del Sur S.A.C. LQS, Peru, wears his full PPE: Communication department in Manual, based upon which the facilities are asked safety helmet, full face shield including a Hamburg, Germany. to prepare and implement adequate management respirator, antistatic chemical suit, product- systems at local level. The aim is to ensure resistant rubber gloves, safety harness for occupational health in compliance with the fall protection and safety shoes.

16 CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS 17 India India Pioneering project The biogas project of IOT is unique and will set standards for the future in India.

the Health, Safety, Security & Environment (HSSE) conditioning the agricultural soil and providing high standards for contract labourers and maintaining good nutrients for the plants, thus maintaining our atmosphere’s relations with the communities around them to successfully carbon neutrality. complete the power evacuation lines, the multinational project team joined forces to overcome these hurdles. The The project makes a significant contribution towards project was certainly a team effort with the procurement, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by reducing methane project development, engineering and fertilizer marketing from the poultry waste and replacing fossil fuels, thus Clean teams working together to complete it in time. contributing to India’s action plan on climate change. IOT in Southern Mabagas has increasingly gained the goodwill of the local The contribution of IML’s research lab based in Navghar, community, government officials and industry experts energy India Mumbai, towards seeing this project through has been through its commitment to developing and implementing remarkable. The lab has run many batches to understand the project successfully. It now looks forward to more IOT Mabagas Limited (IML), a joint venture between IOT the gas yield potential of different feed stocks available projects of this type to provide clean energy for other parts from different sources and studied the fertilizer value of of India. Infrastructure & Energy Services Ltd (IOT) and Mabagas, the manure from the lab-scale reactors. is currently in the pre-commissioning stage for its first greenfield 2.4 MW biogas power plant — the first project The plant, which was completed in November 2012, was built using cutting-edge technology, equipment and of its kind in India, which will help reduce greenhouse systems. The feeding system comprises solid and liquid gas emissions. feed stock mixing pump and scrapper floor which is specially designed to handle selected feed stocks. The submersible and long shaft agitators and roof top holders rank among the best in India, as do the MWM gas engines. Positive contribution Not only the In addition, the plant has a modern automation system environment will benefit from the new plant programmed from Germany. but also the rural development and the Germany has been one of the most successful countries The project is a first of its kind in India, using mixed feed community of Thathayangar Patti, in the Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. in the world in the biogas sector with around 5,000 biogas stocks of poultry litter, sugar and sago industry waste, and plants. However, India, despite having more biogas cow dung in a system of Continuously Stirred Tank Reactors Generating employment feedstock, lacks plants of a suitable size with modern (CSTRs). The plant will generate around 1,000 cbm of technology. In 2009, Mabagas and IOT formed a partnership biogas per hour, which will be burnt in high-efficiency The commissioning of the plant to provide an ideal platform to combine Mabagas’s German engines to produce about 18 gigawatt hours of power that has increased the employment technology and IOT’s EPC expertise and operational will be fed into the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board grid. The opportunities for the people of strength in India to make ground-breaking progress in project will also produce about 25,000 tons of high-nutrient Namakkal, thereby contributing converting various types of organic wastes to biogas and organic fertiliser and 44,000 cbm of liquid fertilizer, which to rural development in the power in India. The joint-venture IOT-Mabagas Ltd (IML) will be sold via the existing marketing chain of major region. The green power thus began setting up its first greenfield 2.4 MW biogas fertilizer companies in Southern India. The plant will also generated will be fed into the power plant in the village of Thathayangar Patti, Namakkal be registered under the clean development mechanism of local grid, thus reducing the District in the Southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, in early the United Nations. power deficit in the city, while the 2011. organic fertilizers from the plant will contribute towards Namakkal is home to about 40 million chickens, a couple of A team effort sugar mills situated on the banks of Cauvery River and many sago industries. Thus, the abundant availability of Pioneering projects come with their fair share of challenges, mixed feedstock coupled with an excellent road network which, when overcome, give the industry a new benchmark. made the region ideal for setting up the biogas plant, It was no different for the biogas project. From blasting which is spread over 17 acres of land in a prime location to rocks and laying the foundations for the buildings, optimise the logistics operations for the project. fermenters and other facilities to establishing and managing

18 CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS 19 India India

Before the participants could start to feel sorry for Too heavy, too light or just themselves because of their state of health, help was at right? An Indian colleague awaiting hand in the form of eight nutritionists, who guided them the weighting result. Healthy beginnings towards healthy eating habits in one-on-one sessions. During these consultations, they recommended easy-to- follow dietary plans based on the person’s body type and at IOT lifestyle. The real fun, however, was reserved for the next day, when the participants were taken through various exercises to stay fit. At least four groups of as many as 50 people made their way to the basement of the IOT office in Nahur, Mumbai, wearing sneakers and track suits where they were taught exercises ranging from simple During a two-day ones they can do at their desk to a full-blown aerobics Workplace Wellness workout to get a lean, mean look.

Programme, Although it has been a while since the program, the effect colleagues from the is as strong as ever since many IOTians have stuck to the IOT Infrastructure & exercise regimes they began just after the program. Some have even realized the importance of a good Energy Services Ltd breakfast, think twice before taking a second helping of office in Mumbai, India, that yummy dessert and have replaced that 5-o’clock learnt a lot about how to vada pav with fruit or a nutritious health bar. go about creating and Substantial information A regular glance at the balance is maintaining a healthy lifestyle. important to monitor one's weight.

When you live in a metropolis like Mumbai, where distance governs your daily plans, a healthy lifestyle 5 Easy-to-follow diet: takes a backseat. You tend to skip breakfast simply because you have to catch that 07:16 h train for the  Eat small meals at frequent intervals (usually every refers to a number calculated by 90-minute commute to the office. By five pm, your work two hours) Metabolic age comparing your average Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR; day is nearing an end and you suddenly realize that you  Replace snacks like chips with nuts or fruit amount of energy consumed per unit of time) with are hungry so you head out to the snack bar nearby for a  Breakfast is a must that of your age group (your actual age). Body fat fix of deep-fried potato dumplings with sweet and sour  Drink at least eight glasses of water a day to keep requires much less energy than lean muscle, which is chutney sandwiched between a bun (this ubiquitous yourself well-hydrated much more active metabolically. Therefore, as we age snack is called vada pav in Mumbai). You know it is  Exercise for 30 minutes at least three times a week and the proportion of our lean muscle decreases, our unhealthy, but there’s little choice. “But actually you do metabolism slows down. have a choice” is what the nutritionists told the participants from IOT at a health camp organized in the The first day saw everyone lining up to have their blood company’s Mumbai office in May 2012. Over 300 people pressure taken, their Body Mass Index (BMI), bone took part in the two-day Workplace Wellness Programme, density and metabolic age checked. This exercise, yielded which was aimed at raising awareness of the importance some surprising results. Many participants’ metabolic age of leading a healthy lifestyle amongst the young was way above their actual age, for instance. Ideally, it attendees. should be equal to or less than their actual age. Thanks Food for thought to an unhealthy lifestyle, many of us have slow metabolism Nutritionists elaborated and increased body fat at a much younger age, which individual healthy diet causes this anomaly (see box). recommendations.

20 CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS 21 People & Places People & Places

“You will never find time for anything. If you want time you The European Union promotes the work-life balance by Tripartite Committee on Work-Life Strategy was set up in must make it.” means of several directives, such as the Pregnant Workers 2000 to promote work-life harmony. Besides organizing Directive, the Parental Leave Directive and the Equal programs and formulating strategies to help organizations Charles Buxton** Treatment in Employment Directive. Of course, member to implement work-life strategies, the Committee also states exercise their own right to implement more monitors and reviews the adoption of work-life strategies. extensive laws, such as the “Adjustment of Hours Law” A biennial award honors organizations that are committed (2000), which gives Dutch workers the right to shorten or to supporting employees in reconciling work and personal extend their normal working hours — thus providing a needs. The “Work-Life Excellence Award” was first very flexible work schedule. Belgium’s system of time presented in 2006 (formerly known as “Family-Friendly Balancing credits also offers employees a more flexible working Employer Award” and the “Family-Friendly Firm Award”). time. In Denmark, a law was passed to make access to part-time work easier in order to foster a more family- New policies, legislations and programs that try to friendly labor market. In Ireland, the National Framework achieve a work-life balance continue to be developed act Committee hopes to raise the awareness of work-life around the world. But increasingly the effectiveness of balance issues with an annual promotion activity called work-life practices even goes beyond governmental “Work-Life Balance Day”. In the USA, this topic also regulations and standards as companies implement work- gained momentum and in 2003 the first National Work life balance practices at their own discretion — including Finding a suitable balance between work, family commitments and and Family Month was celebrated. And in Singapore, the Marquard & Bahls and its subsidiaries like Oiltanking. private life is not only important for an individual but also the company s/he works for and society as a whole. The problem is how to find this balance. Here are some international approaches. Basic building blocks for a better balance  Look for healthy ways to relieve stress, e.g. by  Create your own boundaries by setting limits as to exercising, eating healthy food and getting enough when you are available to others. sleep. Try to resist the urge to cope with stress by  Prioritize things (and check if they are really that What is your typical day like? According to the Every year, the OECD lists the top-ten countries with the smoking or drinking too much. urgent) and take care of the essential ones first. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development best work-life balance based on three key variables:  Try to think positively: How about encouraging  Try to make and reserve some time for yourself to (OECD), the average person in OECD countries* works yourself with an “I can cope” attitude? recuperate. 1,749 hours a year and devotes 62 percent of the day 1) The percentage of employees who work very  Don’t shy away from asking someone for a helping hand. (14.8 hours) to personal care (eating, sleeping, etc.) and long hours (more than 50 hours a week) leisure (socializing with family and friends, hobbies, 2) Time spent on leisure and personal care computer, television, etc.). Dedicating enough time to (including sleeping) photos: courtesy of copenhagenmediacenter.com/Tuala Hjarnø both work and your personal commitments is a juggling 3) Employment rates for women with children act often referred to as “work-life balance”. The OECD found that Denmark has the best work-life But how exactly do you define work-life balance? Is it balance, followed by Belgium, with Spain and Norway finding a job with 40 hours per week or less? Perhaps it ranked third. However, in the past few years the topic of is working with a seemingly low career risk, often sneered work-life balance has increasingly become an important at as a 9-to-5 job? Or is it the issue of how much time is matter in many industrialized countries. Due to diverse left to spend with the family? As each individual has legal and cultural backgrounds, countries address their different needs and lifestyles, people interpret the topic concerns in varying ways. The British government, for of work-life balance differently. Finding the correct instance, launched a work-life balance campaign in 2000 balance is challenging but it eventually contributes to which was aimed, among other things, at tackling the personal well-being and can have additional physical and long-hour culture. psychological benefits. Healthy employees are also more committed and engaged, thus improving their performance and the productivity of the company they * OECD 34 countries: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, work for. Employers who help employees reconcile work Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, and personal commitments by implementing a work-life the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, United strategy will invariably create a win-win situation for Kingdom, United States. everyone involved — employees and employer — not to Frontrunner A report of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and ** Charles Buxton, (1823 – 1871), English brewer, philanthropist, mention improve customer satisfaction. writer and Member of Parliament Development (OECD) in 2011 named Denmark the best country for work-life balance.

22 CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS 23 Middle East Middle East

Imposing facility With the latest construction phase, the Team award During six consecutive construction phases - representing 8 million total capacity of the Oiltanking man hours - no Lost Work Day Case (LWDC) was reported. Odfjell Oman terminal in Sohar amounts to 1,395,287 cbm.

storage tanks. And voilà, Phase 6 was born!

The project was initiated through the upfront conclusion of contracts in the first quarter of 2011. The construction — as the past five — was carried out by a metric tons annually via the jetties and load about 15 to consortium of IOT Indian Oiltanking & Larsen & Toubro 20 trucks a day. and got underway in May 2011. The twelve related tanks were commissioned according to plan in July 2012 and The Phase 6 project has truly put Oiltanking Odfjell Oman range from 2,000 to 3,100 cbm. The supporting and the Port of Sohar on the chemical distribution map, infrastructure has been configured in such a way that they immediately making it one of the major Middle Eastern can store a wide variety of chemicals and oil products, players in the field. The idea is to expand Oiltanking Odfjell partly with dedicated and partly non-dedicated lines. Oman’s chemical presence further, not only for third Contracts have been signed with major players in the parties, but also for future tenants in the Port of Sohar. Niche market chemical and oil distribution market. The products to be The land required for further chemical expansion is still at stored range from base oils to acrylates, aromatic solvents Oiltanking Odfjell Oman’s disposal, which is eager to presents opportunities and drilling fluids. The main function of the tanks will be develop it. to facilitate the distribution of products to Oman and the

wider Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)* market, but also * Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) for the Arab states of the aid the further redistribution of break bulk in India and Gulf includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman. East Africa. All tanks are being linked to In July 2012 Oiltanking Odfjell Oman commissioned its so-called Expansion Phase 6, Oiltanking Odfjell Oman’s jetty infrastructure, as well as some dedicated setting the terminal apart with an impressive total capacity of 1,395,287 cbm. The newly built truck-loading bays. Once all the total construction phase was also quite imposing. new customers have settled in well, the plan is to additionally handle about 200,000

The smiling faces at a function organized by Oiltanking 1,395,287 cbm. Even though it was by no means the Odfjell Oman in Sohar on October 1, 2012 spoke volumes. biggest of Oiltanking Odfjell Oman’s expansions, its Finalizing a project is definitely a good reason to celebrate importance lies more in the underlying reasons as to why but the icing on the cake was the fact that the realization the tanks were built. They are a mere reflection of the and progress ran continuously and smoothly, and during company’s diversification strategy into chemicals with the six consecutive construction phases — representing 8 aim of doing things a bit differently to other terminals in million man hours in total — no Lost Work Day Case the Arab region, making Oiltanking Odfjell Oman uniquely (LWDC) was reported. active in multiple industries. While other terminal projects Final touch Finalizing the sixth announced in the terminal’s immediate vicinity mainly consecutive construction in Sohar representing “8 million man hours After a construction phase of 14 months, Oiltanking Odfjell focus on clean and dirty petroleum products, Oiltanking without any Lost Work Day Case” was Oman commissioned its latest so-called Expansion Phase 6 Odfjell Oman detected niche chemical and oil markets, reason enough for all parties involved of 28,638 cbm, bringing the terminal up to a grand which presented opportunities for the addition of smaller to celebrate at a special function.

24 CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS 25 CULTURAL EXPERIENCE CULTURAL EXPERIENCE

Sport is also big in Texas as Didon experienced. Perhaps he should not have worn his UT (University of Houston “Round the Texas) cap while in transit at the Los Angeles airport the same year as Texas beat USC (University of Southern California) in the national world Basketball championship! ticket” My first encounter with Oiltanking dates back to February 2006 while I was still studying supply chains and logistics at the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. When I was searching for a Master’s project, I came across a jetty simulation project at Oiltanking picture: courtesy of Greater Houston Convention and Visitor Bureauand picture: courtesy of Greater Houston Convention Texas City and Houston, Texas, USA. To cut a long story short, I submitted my application, went to the interview and a few months later, hey presto, I landed at Houston Airport and the first of many Oiltanking adventures began.

From Rotterdam to Houston … Before moving to Houston in the spring of 2006, I had Typical Texan? What about already known that things were generally big in the USA cowboy boots, rodeo and steak, just compared to other countries and they say things are even to name a few examples. bigger in Texas! It didn’t take me long to realize that this was very true. The enormous highways with multiple lanes with big, seemingly endless trucks were the first reality cultural experience of its very own and before long started check; the following weeks were jam-packed full of other enjoying the freedom in my car and the many radio amazing impressions. stations. Although Houston has a strict speed limit on the Didon Rahardjo, presently a customer service roads, I stepped on the gas — professionally that is — and coordinator at Oiltanking Copenhagen, started One unforgettable exploit was hearing friends shouting got my second assignment for Oiltanking, which brought his career at Oiltanking as an internal trainee “shotgun” every time we went to get into the car. I me to the headquarters in Hamburg in the summer of wondered why on earth anyone would need to bring a gun 2008. in 2007. In the meantime, not only has he to a barbeque. Perhaps I was hanging out with the wrong gained a lot of knowhow thanks to the different positions he was crowd? But apparently “shotgun” is slang for the passenger assigned to; he has also gathered many cultural experiences as his seat of a car, going back to American history and the Old West: The person sitting next to the coach driver would PORTRAIT After completing postings took him on a world tour. Here, he remembers carry a shotgun to protect them from robbers or his traineeship at Oiltanking some of his most impressive and Native Americans (Indians). But why is “riding Texas City and Head Office in Hamburg in 2009, Didon Rahardjo unforgettable impressions during shotgun” so important nowadays? A friend explained it thus: This particular seat is the best one in the car embarked on a career journey his professional “stopovers” in the because you have a dominant position and the best through different positions at last six years. view without the responsibility of driving! And driving Oiltanking — customer service is big in Texas! The Houston area is huge and officer (BE, OM) and customer commuting 80 to 100 kilometers (roundtrip) or even service coordinator (DK) in five more every day is perfectly normal. Coming from countries — en route to his Indonesia and being used to short European distances, present location. In May 2012 he started working as a I just couldn’t get my head around spending so much coordinator at the customer service department at the time in the car. And while I was afraid of getting bored terminal in Copenhagen, Denmark. driving so many kilometers on my own, I took it as a

26 CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS 27 Culture Experiences Culture Experiences

Special mix In Hamburg Didon enjoyed the cosmopolitan flair of the office and city, as well such local H a m bu rg traditions as the typical Christmas Oman market every December.

transport from Muscat to words like smørrebrød or Rødgrød Although all my colleagues in Ghent spoke English, they Sohar (a distance of med Fløde (both are names of dishes) knew that I had learned some Dutch during my degree and about 300 kilometers) was a nightmare for me in the encouraged me to communicate and work entirely in the mistakenly thought I had beginning, nonetheless I was language. Learning Flemish Dutch landed in Dubai (about gradually able to make myself proved a good investment as it helped 500 kilometers away from understood at least. My me to adapt to my work place and Muscat) so there was colleagues were quite enabled me to enjoy conversations with nobody waiting for me. supportive and it also helped other people. However, it was daunting in But instead of being that we had customers in the beginning and I soon realized that stranded at the airport, Sweden and Norway. As the From Houston to Hamburg … Belgians don’t necessarily communicate that very same evening I came Copenhagen Scandinavian languages are Although I had visited various parts in standard Flemish Dutch, but in local into contact with my first Omani quite similar, it is common to of Germany as a tourist several dialects as well, which I can still hardly friendliness. Some local people receive emails or phone calls in times before and during my degree, understand to this day. After spending asked me of their own accord if On the move Be it on the back of a camel Norwegian or Swedish and there is a big difference between nearly two years in Ghent, I had the they could help me. They in Oman or on a bicycle in Copenhagen, reply to them in Danish or Didon is always on the right track. just “visiting” and actually living there. For me, it started opportunity to experience something new again: I was managed to arrange some English if you are from other with learning a new language and adapting to another new offered an assignment to a place I admittedly had never alternative transportation for me countries. This was a new culture — or should I say cultures, as the working even heard of before. without asking for anything in return. What a rare thing it experience for me as I had never worked in an environment environment at Head Office is multicultural and I had the was to come across such kindness in this individualistic where communications happen in so many languages. opening to work with German, Dutch, Estonian, Ukrainian, From Ghent to Sohar … world we live in! Bolivian, Maltese, Belgian and American colleagues. The For me, Oman was a mystery compared to the more The Danish lunchtime is also a bit different compared to fact that the Euro 2008 championship took place that famous and well-known countries of the Middle East, such The fact that not all Omanis speak English and me no many other countries. Over here, lunchtime starts as early summer made the cultural experience even more as the UAE, Saudi Arabia or Qatar. So when I was asked to Arabic led to some funny incidents. On one occasion, I as 11.30 am. I am more accustomed to anytime between interesting. To be outside in the park watching the soccer help out in the customer service department at Oiltanking went to a money changer to get some Emirati dirhams for twelve and one o’clock. So I needed to adjust as I didn’t games together with the locals was wonderful and, being Odfjell Oman for six months, I looked forward to it very a visit to Dubai. After exchanging some niceties, I told the want to eat on my own and miss out on the chance for a so passionate, they proved the stereotype of Germans much as I had never been to that part of the world. At the cashier the amount of money I wanted to change. He nice chat with my colleagues. When they head home you being a bit reserved absolutely wrong. I soon became a same time, however, I had some doubts as to whether I asked me for my “password”, which was necessary to quite often hear them say tak for i dag (thank you for fan of Hamburg’s beautiful city and German food, enjoying could adjust and integrate myself as the cultural difference exchange any money. I was confused as to why I needed today), even though it was just a normal working day and sausages and Schweinshaxe (roasted pork knuckle) — seemed vast. Prepared with a crash course on Middle a password to do so and explained to him that this was my nothing special happened. In my past experiences in food I had not tasted before. But after finishing my Eastern culture, I boarded the plane and as soon as I first time in his shop, which is why I didn’t have one yet. different countries, normally people only say this on international traineeship, it was time to trade “Wurst & landed in Muscat the experience began: It was midnight He insisted on having my password and did not believe special occasions and not in everyday life. So when I heard Knoedel” (sausages and dumplings) for waffles, chocolates, but the thermometer still showed 34°C! I soon found out that I didn’t have one. Only five minutes later — with the it at the office in Copenhagen, it made me think, “Did I do fries and little bit of Belgian beer. that the taxi company that was supposed to arrange my help of an Indian expat who happened to be there — did I something special today to make them say thank you? I eventually understand that the cashier was asking me for don’t think so!” But I found it to be a nice gesture to From Hamburg to Ghent … my passport and not a password! In the end, we just appreciate other people. My first “real” job started in Ghent, Belgium, in the winter laughed and kept it as a nice memory. Reading a leaflet to of 2009 as a customer service officer. Coming from an Ghent sample some Indian snakes in a local disco for one Omani international environment in Hamburg to a very Flemish riyal was also amusing as later on I found out that what So far, I have had a lot of interesting experiences but have environment in Belgium was quite a change — especially if they actually meant was some Indian snacks! After nearly only seen Denmark in the summertime, which they say is you are the only non-Belgian at the whole terminal. eight months, it was time to grab my passport again, but the best time to enjoy the country. When it’s sunny, it’s Personally, I find Belgium to be an unique and a complex not to change money this time. very convenient to enjoy Copenhagen on foot or by bike. country as it has different faces. The It is the city’s aim to become the world’s leading bicycle north, the Flemish region, where From Sohar to Copenhagen … city by 2015. Now I am looking forward to witnessing this people speak Dutch, has all the main Although I had never lived in Denmark before, I had “Viking” country in other seasons. Looking back on all the industrial ports such as Antwerp and traveled around Copenhagen and the Sjaelland area on a countries I have had the opening to work in — as different Ghent. The South is typified by the backpacking trip to Scandinavia about ten years previously. as they were — they all have three things in common: it beautiful, hilly Ardennes and the The first week felt like a nostalgic trip. But there was no was/is great to experience other cultures, meet people, Fact & fun Didon started French-speaking Walloons while in the time for a stroll down memory lane — the present was learn new languages and exchange knowledge; it helps his first "real" job for East, a small section of the Belgian Oiltanking in Ghent enjoying calling. The language sounded very different and, to a you to broaden your horizons. population even speak German. the team as well as the city. certain extent, weird (to my ears). Trying to pronounce

28 CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS 29 North America North America

Oiltanking N Appelt Facility the initial three-month period of the development. Besides new customers, the additional crude streams (all with Pipelines different qualities) arriving in the pipelines have also prompted the current customer base to request new tanks in order to preserve segregation and create new blends for refinery consumption. Crude oil marketers are also Oiltanking Houston recognizing the importance of Houston as a trading hub Terminal and several are setting up their operations with Oiltanking Houston’s new capacity. Seamless integration New facility The Appelt The new Appelt facility is located one mile expansion property Details of the construction projects from the Oiltanking Houston will be connected to terminal and will increase the existing Oiltanking The initial project (Phase 1) that started the transformation the total storage capacity by Houston terminal via of Oiltanking Houston consisted of a 1.1-million-barrel 67 percent from 12 million multiple pipelines. tank construction project along with two new pipeline barrels to 20 million. systems. The first pipeline system is a new 24-inch pipeline that will connect to the Enterprise ECHO tank farm, which will enable Oiltanking’s customers to receive barrels from Pipeline Crude Oil both the Enterprise Eagle Ford pipeline and the Seaway Road Petroleum/Chemicals Oiltanking Houston pipeline. Moreover, a new 30-inch pipeline will be constructed to deliver the customers’ barrels to local crude oil expansion project Houston refineries. This project is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2012. mile from the Oiltanking Houston terminal will be connected In order to handle the increasing domestic crude oil production, Oiltanking Houston, to the existing tank farm via multiple pipelines, assuring The next project (Phase 2 and 3) consists of the Texas/USA, is offering additional storage capacity with its new Appelt facility, which the seamless integration of the two facilities and minimizing development of the Appelt tank farm. While Phase 2 is currently under construction. Between 2012 and 2014 the total storage capacity scheduling conflicts. consists of 3.2 million barrels, Phase 3 will have 3.3 million barrels of new crude tankage on 95 acres. Both projects will go up from 12 million barrels to 20 million with over 25 new tanks. Also, with the fundamental and economic shift from crude will go online between mid-2013 and the end of 2014. oil imports to domestic crudes, Oiltanking Houston made Once all of the dust has settled and the new operations In the last two years, the Houston crude market has markets by investing in distribution pipelines, expansive the strategic decision to connect to all of the new pipelines have been commissioned, all the associates at Oiltanking seen a dramatic change in how crude is delivered to local deep waterfronts and expansion capacity for additional that have been announced, sourcing domestic and Houston will get ready for the next phase of projects that refineries. While Oiltanking Houston primarily handled crude tankage. These assets provide refiners, crude Canadian production. This strategic decision will offer all are currently taking shape. import barrels through its extensive waterfront in the past, marketers and producers with a prime location for these of Oiltanking’s customers ultimate flexibility growing domestic production and new pipelines arriving in new inbound crude barrels and the optimal opportunity for via multiple inbound modes. This, coupled Houston have put more emphasis on the inland infrastructure. blending and distribution. with the numerous outbound systems, will Customers are progressively searching for alternative offer customers options that are unmatched transportation to move their barrels from expanding Shift from crude oil imports by any other Gulf Coast terminal. Oiltanking domestic shale plays to the U.S. Gulf Coast. Analysts predict to domestic crudes Houston is in the process of connecting to the that by 2020 nearly half of the crude oil America consumes following third-party inbound pipeline systems: will be produced inside the United States. Between 2012 and 2014, Oiltanking Houston will increase its storage capacity from 12 million barrels to 20 million  Magellan Longhorn — West Texas crude Along with the U.S. shale production, Canadian crude oil with over 25 new tanks at the new crude oil tank farm  Kinder Morgan Eagle Ford — Eagle Ford production is expected to rise significantly over the next named Appelt after its address, 2500 Appelt Road. This crude and condensate decade. Just as with domestic shale production, the significant construction and coordination challenge is only  Seaway — Cushing and Canadian crude transportation of these barrels is key, making it possible due to Oiltanking's dedicated engineering and  Sunoco West Texas — West Texas crude economically attractive to move these barrels to various operations group. Along with this tank expansion, the major  Enterprise Eagle Ford — Eagle Ford crude markets. Efforts will be made to transport heavy Canadian upgrading and expansion of pipeline systems, metering and condensate barrels towards the Gulf Coast region, where heavy crude systems, manifolds and electrical supply infrastructure is  TransCanada Marketlink — Cushing and oil refiners await and pricing spreads are profitable. underway to maintain the expected customer service level Canadian crude Existing facility Being located on the industry has come to expect from Oiltanking. As an the Houston Ship Channel and having an Since the 1970s, Oiltanking Houston has become known example of these exemplary services provided by Oiltanking Customer support for the expansion has been extensive waterfront available is one major advantage of the Oiltanking Houston terminal. as one of the premier crude oil hubs on the U.S. Gulf Coast Houston, the new Appelt facility located approximately one extraordinary with 19 tanks contracted during

30 CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS 31 North America North America

Daily business A dry bulk carrier loads petcoke direct From "American from the coke loading dock. Paradise" to "Sportsman's Paradise"

After the closure of the Oiltanking Dupre terminal in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands, some Oiltanking colleagues found a new job within the company at United Bulk Terminals (UBT) in Davant, Louisiana/USA.

In August of 2010 the Oiltanking Dupre terminal was A few months later, the purchase of the latest dry-bulk awarded a long-term operations and maintenance contract facility was complete and United Bulk Terminals (UBT), at a better time for the once they arrived; remember for petroleum coke handling at the Hovensa refinery located located in Davant/Louisiana, became the newest member displaced St. Croix employees. that they came from "Paradise"! in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands. Only one and a half years of the Oiltanking family. The purchase couldn't have come It just so happened that there UBT turned out to be a very into the contract, the were several vacancies open at different environment to what refinery unexpectedly UBT. Therefore, interviews they were used to. "In St. Croix, announced that the facility soon followed in St. Croix to the complex was completely was shutting down due to see which employees had an enclosed," explains Trevor. "We years of unmanageable interest in moving to Louisiana even had to clean up the railcar losses. The news was and the skills to match. In the tracks." However, after living devastating to Oiltanking’s end, there were a total of ten here for a few months, they are new employees and, of employees who signed new already learning to appreciate course, the rest of work contracts and decided to being in the open and, as Trevor Oiltanking. The island of St. relocate from the "American Careful construction The fully puts it, "I like to explore the Croix, which has been Paradise" to the "Sportsman's enclosed coke handling and storage system outdoors and surroundings; I like was designed to reduce air emissions. nicknamed "American Paradise". my drive to work". Towards the Paradise", now faced a very people at UBT, there was an uncertain future. When asked about their experiences, they often had similar instant reaction. "They were very nice, gave 100 percent reactions. After the closure of the refinery, it was a and we received a very warm welcome," they both agree. troublesome time for everyone. There was a lot of uncertainty about finding a new job, being able to support Everyone would say that family and friends are what people Smooth transition their families and the overall economy of the island in miss most about home. However, for some the transitions Ten colleagues from general. "It hit hard, the industry couldn't take everyone," are still incomplete and they are already planning to be the former Oiltanking says Trevor Elien, Mobile Equipment Mechanic. After reunited with their families in the near future. Many of Dupre terminal, US Oiltanking started the recruiting process, the attitudes had them have expressed their gratitude and thanks for the Virgin Islands, are changed somewhat. "I felt like a new penny!" as Cardigan opportunity and in turn have been received enthusiastically now working for Oiltanking at the Cannonier, Mobile Equipment Mechanic, comments with a by our employees at UBT. A job well done by everyone for United Bulk Terminals big smile. "I made up my mind as soon as I got the everyone! in Davant, Louisiana. message." Of course, some adjustments had to be made

32 CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS 33 Leisure & Fun Leisure & Fun

Zest for life Do you want to know the secret to a of a combined age of 818 by the or rice is filling but low in fat. The long life? Well, maybe then you Guinness World Records in August Akea — an acronym for “A kent’ should consider moving to Sardinia 2012. The Melis family (the eldest annos,” a traditional toast in the or start eating minestrone soup! The just turned 105, by the way!) accredit Sardinian language meaning “May Italian island has long had a their long lives to plenty of exercise you live to be 100 years old” — Healthy reputation for longevity with one of and a healthy diet; speaking highly scientific project is looking into the the highest rates of centenarians in of minestrone soup, in particular. secret of Sardinians’ long lives. the world. This has been underpinned Literally meaning “big soup” this Something we all aspire to, so let’s “An apple a day keeps by the discovery of nine Sardinian cornerstone of Italian cuisine made dish out a tasty minestrone soup! hints siblings who were recognized as the with vegetables, the doctor away” — world’s oldest living people in terms often with pasta you have probably heard this proverb upteen times. We have tried to harvest some interesting facts and news which might come in handy when Recipe There is no “real” minestrone soup recipe as it is usually enhancing your health and raising health consciousness made with whatever vegetables are in season or as well as keeping you safe and sound. available, and each and every family has its own very personal twist! Hope you relish the recipe chosen by us and bon appétit or as the Sardinians would say: “Bon Power package appetito!“ Since Popeye the sailor, the cartoon character created by Burning Elzie Crisler Segar, appeared for the very first time back in Ingredients (4–6 persons) 1929 he has been impressively showing us the benefits of issue 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil & oil to sprinkle eating spinach since then: Namely improving body strength Generally speaking the topic of 4–5 cups water or vegetable (alternatively chicken and power. Undoubtedly, spinach belongs to the world’s “smoking versus non-smoking” or bean) broth healthiest vegetables: For instance, it is rich in vitamins, usually ends up in heated discussions 2 carrots, diced minerals and other nutrients which help to offset cancer, world-wide. There is also something in the air in 1 leek, cut in rings maintain good blood levels, prevent age related memory loss Tasmania and its not only the youngster’s smoke, 2 sticks celery, diced or prevent cataracts. Unfortunately, its ability to increase which happens to account for the highest rate of 2 small zucchini (courgette), cut in half lengthways strength is a bit of a “weak” point as it has never really been smokers in Australia. Down Under could become and thinly sliced into half-moons proven. A calculation error made by Emil von Wolff, a German the first place in the world to impose a cigarette 4 small potatoes, peeled, diced scientist (in 1870 he misplaced a decimal point in the ban for anyone born after 2000. The motion, 1 cup canned cannellini or borlotti beans, rinsed measurement of the iron content of spinach thus giving rise initiated by the independent member of parliament and drained to an iron content 10 times higher than actually measured), Ivan Dean, was unanimously passed by Tasmania’s 1 onion, diced resulted in the popular misconception that spinach is a good upper house in August 2012. The prohibition would ¼ cup small pasta shapes source of iron. However, in 2008 researchers from become effective when people born after 2000 turn salt, to taste the Rutgers University, New Jersey, demonstrated 18 (thereafter the legal age to buy cigarettes would freshly ground pepper, to taste that chemicals in spinach do actually help to be raised with each subsequent year). While the 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley build up muscles. Yet, a human being would law still remains subject to approval by the lower finely grated Parmesan or Romano cheese have to eat over one kilo of spinach each day house of Tasmania, similar measures are also being pesto, to taste (if preferred) to come anywhere close to body builder considered in Singapore and Finland. 1 cup diced, canned tomatoes muscle proportions. This year a Swedish Escape route The proposal of a study from the Karolinska Institutet smoking ban high on the agenda found that spinach contains nitrates along with a specific year of birth Method which boost the production of two key could mean that Tasmania is Bring salted water (broth) to the boil. Add all the prepared cook until al dente. Taste and add salt/pepper as to your proteins in muscles making them heading fast in a new direction. vegetables (except the tomatoes) and the olive oil, stir liking. Remove from the heat and stir through the stronger and more efficient. The findings and cover. Simmer for about 30 minutes. Now add the parsley, (flavor with pesto if desired) and sprinkle a bit could pave the way for treatments for people He was in the know! Popeye the tomatoes and let the soup simmer for another 15 minutes. of olive oil. Serve in bowls with a little grated Parmesan with frail or aging muscles. sailor gulps down cans of spinach to Just at the end boil up the soup again, add pasta and or Romano cheese on top. gain power and muscle strength.

34 CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS 35 734094545239523082 Leisure & Fun Leisure & Fun 403479234802340823 Who is “Bob”?

In 1995, the Belgian Road Safety Institute town and decide to use the car, you’d (Belgisch Instituut voor de better opt for a healthy drink or make 840238042480524805 Verkeersveiligheid, BIVV) initiated a sure you know who the “Bob” of the special campaign in collaboration with evening is — namely the person who does several governmental departments, the not drink alcohol knowing that s/he will police, and the Belgian beer brewing have to do the driving later on. While 248602486024680246 industry which was aimed at heightening “Bob” was just a name picked by the NUMBER awareness of the dangers of drinking and BIVV, it is also a suitable acronym for driving. The so-called Bob campaign “conscious non-drunk driver or deliberate focuses on a designated driver approach. sober driver” (Bewust Onbeschonken The campaign quickly gained lots of Bestuurder). The name became the 802468024473462345 attention and is still today equally symbol against drinking and driving in successful in the Netherlands where the Belgium and the Netherlands. “Bob” One point of campaign was adopted in 2001. So, if you picture: courtesy of Ministerie van Algemene Zaken, Den Haag Algemene Zaken, picture: courtesy of Ministerie van the “Bob” campaign are in the mood for a night out on the 784025072358249502 illustrates that being “100 % Bob” means drinking “0 %” alcohol. 935802357023758245

11 of out A cuppa with cats Twice a day? 2 Research has proven again and again that pets provide How often do you brush your teeth? For a long time now 211 health benefits, physically as well as psychologically — as dentists have been telling us to brush our teeth at least 823507235087230750 The introduction of so-called “Elterngeld” (parental long as you aren’t allergic to animals (or afraid of them!). twice a day — preferably after meals. The additional leave pay) in Germany in 2007 was aimed at offering not But, what should you do if, for example you don’t have antimicrobial mouth rinsing, flossing and regular visits to only moms but also dads the chance to spend more time enough time or space to take good care of your pet or the dentist for professional dental cleaning are by no with their newborns during their first year of life. Ever your landlord doesn’t welcome them and you happen to means a waste of time and money according to 582375235976956892since, new parents have been entitled to 14 months of live in Europe? At least for cat lovers in Austria a solution microbiologists from the University of Bristol, United “Elterngeld”, where one parent can claim it for a is at hand: A visit to Café Neko, Vienna’s first cat café. Kingdom, and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. maximum of 12 months. This means that the other two Here cats can be petted at a whim while you sip your According to the leading researcher Dr. Steve Kerrigan months will expire if they are not taken by the other favorite coffee brew. This additional feline feel-good the mouth is probably the dirtiest place in the human parent. Among other trends, this regulation — admittedly service is already a well-established trend in Asia, body. For example, if a person has a ruptured blood 734094545239523082slowly but surely — encouraged men to advance into especially in Tokyo, Japan, vessel and bleeding gums, bacteria can gain entry in the domains that seemed to be exclusively reserved for where co-called Neko Cafés bloodstream. There they meet tiny cell fragments called women: Taking care of the kids. While not too long ago its social responsibility to provide equal (neko means cat in platelets, which gather at the wound and block the blood some may have been skeptical about these dads and opportunities and secure and contribute Japanese) enjoy great flow. The bacteria can then stick to the platelets causing 403479234802340823often derogatively called them “sissies”, today they are to a good work-life balance. Therefore, popularity and you them to clot inside the blood vessels thus partially praised for taking their part in serious parenting — not the company encourages and facilitates can choose from at blocking them. This prevents the blood from to mention the fact that stay-at-home dads facilitate the re-entry of employees after parental least 50 different flowing back to the heart and there their spouse’s return to work. In addition, social skills leave — also for male colleagues. In locations. Meow! is a risk of suffering a heart 840238042480524805benefit from some “extra training” during this time. 2012, of the 18 German colleagues on attack. So, let’s brush parental leave eleven were male, two up on our dental The oil business is still a male-dominated world. of whom work for Oiltanking. Of Coffee variant hygiene! However, Marquard & Bahls has managed to course, percentage-wise this is c o p In Austria’s first increase the total number of female employees small but nevertheless a y r ig cat café called ht 248602486024680246continuously over the last few years. It is noteworthy number as it B rig Café Neko delicious hts Marquard & Bahls’ philosophy and part of stands out as a paragon. ton e & Co OG coffee comes with a comfy purr. Critical correlation Brushing teeth reduces 802468024473462345 the risk of heart disease.

36 CONNECTIONS 784025072358249502CONNECTIONS 37 935802357023758245 823507235087230750 582375235976956892 People & Places People & Places

Safety harness must fit Definition of a fall: “An event which results closely and needs to be in a person coming to rest inadvertently on attached to a cable, a hook or other the ground or floor or other lower level.” attachment that will take the full dynamic But here the other measures, shared forces of a person falling. e.g. in the HSSE Manual and incorporated picture: courtesy of Capital Safety by the respective HSSE Managers at the Preventing falls terminals world-wide, becomes effective: Life by example, constant training and Despite all efforts to improve all aspects supervision. of safety and promoting a proactive at worksites safety culture an Oiltanking operator in It is the committed management Bulgaria suffered a fatal accident in leading by example that promotes June 2010. He fell from a ladder while According to statistics of the World Health behavioral safety at workplaces. It conducting maintenance work. Organization (WHO) in general falls are globally is also crucial for colleagues who Oiltanking not only deeply regrets the most common causes of serious work related are working at height to be this accident but also took completely trained. In 2011, e.g. immediate response. Several injuries or death. Consequently, in order to provide every operator received an average local and global meetings took a safe work place environment and to protect the of 75.9 hours of HSSE training, place with the outcome of the health of colleagues and contractors, the HSSE & also covering topics such as fall development of a “Just Culture protection. Last but not least, Guideline” being distributed to all Corporate Communication department in Hamburg also the supervision - if the Profit Centers. highlights the importance to locally implement knowledge is adopted and put into measures to prevent falls (from height). safe work practices - reduces the Over the years the general accident risk of falling from height. It is also frequency could be continuously reduced. important that e.g. all external truck Nevertheless, the further reduction is a Personal drivers receive a thorough HSSE constant concern. And, one should not Protective induction including the use of the forget: implementing and living the safety Globally, falls represent a major public health problem: Equipment installed fall protection system at the culture starts with oneself! The safety they are the second leading cause of accidental or loading racks. harness is unintentional injury death after road traffic injuries (WHO anchored to a 2010, Fact sheet N°344). Thereby work-related falls – steel joist via especially from height − resulting in injuries or death the lifeline. account for a considerable amount. In its effort to setting Fall Protection Loading up a safe work place environment, the HSSE & Corporate racks for trucks are equipped with guard rails. Communication department therefore has a special measures based on the risk assessment of the existing interest in providing information and promoting fall installations and the tasks to be carried out: Constant training is an important protection. Comprehensive and multifaceted prevention part of promoting a proactive safety culture within Oiltanking. strategies have been implemented.  Installation of railings with guard/hand rail, mid rail and toe-board Given the terminals’ work surroundings, e.g. with loading  Installation of working platforms racks for trucks and railcars, keeping floors in a clean  Installation and wearing of a safety harness and, so far as possible, dry condition is a factor not to with lifeline underestimate but which is taken-for-granted at Oiltanking. Besides, colleagues are protected through the At almost every Oiltanking terminal world-wide the use of conventional means like respective training, sign respective personal fall protection has been installed by posting, warning lines, control zones, designated areas specified service providers. The important part lies then etc. The risk of serious injury is already given when in the attitude of the respective colleagues and third falling from a relatively low height, e.g. less than one party employee, e.g. truck drivers: they should use the meter. At the Oiltanking terminals a good deal of work safety equipment properly despite the discomfort and takes place are in elevated heights. The local HSSE inconvenience that may arise from wearing it. Most Managers have implemented suitable technical preventive commonly this concerns the individual fall arrest system.

38 CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS 39 Latin America Latin America

No matter what age Forty employees from the Oiltanking Terminais terminal and their family members participated in this year’s World “Gree Environment Day through different activities held at the terminal. Economy: Does it include you?”

off to a good start over breakfast, which was then followed  Replace old standard light bulbs in the offices with by the employees’ children drawing posters with a focus on compact florescent light bulbs or LEDs environmental issues and the adults listening to a lecture held by João Manuel, who is responsible for the project  Adopt a “double-sided policy” when printing “Banco Comunitário Verde Vida” (Green Life Community correspondence Bank). This bank is a “community bank” that promotes the circulation of a currency based on the exchange of recycled  Encourage employees to be paper free for the whole day materials such as cooking oil, metal cans and plastic Give me five Robson Azevedo, Mauricio Zannin, João Manoel, Renato Correa and Holger Donath (from left) promoted and supported the celebration of the World bottles. With this “green currency”, citizens who had been  Switch to a green office cleaning company or request Environmental Day at the terminal in Vitória, Brazil. previously excluded from the traditional economic system the current company to use non-toxic cleaning agents can now buy in some shops in the region or use it in exchange for food at the so-called “Supermercado Solidário”  Encourage employees to power down computers at lunch On June 5, 2012, the World Environmental Day was celebrated for the 40th time and ("Supermarket Solidarity"). The purpose of the lecture was time and at the end of the day hosted by Brazil. A good enough reason for the Oiltanking Terminais terminal in also to ascertain whether Oiltanking can support the development of the project “Banco Comunitário Verde  Use the operational bikes instead of the operational Vitória, Brazil, to get involved with its very own special event. Vida”. At the end of the lecture, the employees planted truck (two bikes were bought for distances and to carry several tree samplings at the terminal entrance. light loads inside the terminal)

Raising environmental awareness and gaining public that the Oiltankers at the terminal in Vitória, Brazil, took Although it is difficult to measure how big of an impact a The next step for the terminal is to examine the best way as well as political attention is more topical than ever. Yet, part! “one day environmental event” really has on people in on how to support the project "Banco Comunitário Verde the idea to dedicate a full day to encourage the conservation terms of creating more awareness for the environment, the Vida". One possibility is to donate recyclable materials, of the environment dates back to 1972. Since the United Aimed to improve their environmental awareness and colleagues’ ideas at the terminal in Vitória on how to which are separated at the selected waste collection at the Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) set up the World sensitize them to problems of socially underprivileged contribute to going green are flourishing. Just to briefly terminal, so they can be sold by underprivileged citizens Environmental Day (WED), it has been celebrated annually parts of the society, the terminal management together mention a few: and thereby used as a “green currency”. This would be an and held by different countries. On June 5, 2012 – as in with the HSSE Manager and Human Resources investment that pays off for both sides – the community 1992 – it was once again Brazil that promoted global Representatives organized a special event for forty and Oiltanking! positive environmental action with this year’s theme “Green employees and their family members. On June 17, 2012, Economy: Does it include you?” And it goes without saying they celebrated the WED at the terminal. The morning got

40 CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS 41 Latin America Latin America

“Help yourself before helping others” This rule applies to airplanes as well as earthquake safety. Nevertheless, Oiltankers are well trained to administer first aid.

facts Peru is no stranger to earthquakes and neither are our colleagues at the Peruvian offices and terminals: Thanks to frequent drills and the disaster

plans in place, they know just how to react in such emergencies and Safety Area). The colleagues are required to meet at the What to do in the event of an earthquake have the know-how to tackle precarious situations. Evacuation Assembly Area or use the emergency stairs — Earthquakes can generally only be felt upwards of four but never the elevator — to exit the building. Furthermore, points on the Richter scale. Although it is easier said the colleagues comply with the instructions of the than done, don’t panic! And remember: duck, cover Sitting on one of those thrilling fairground rides, you Imminent danger of an earthquake designated leader, who is also trained to administer first and hold on! might enjoy moving up and down and/or sideways quickly, aid if necessary. While the Security Committee worked out but what about experiencing these kind of movements For years, scientists, shamans and recently two Russian an earthquake disaster plan, it also thought about  If you are inside do not leave the building until the during an earthquake? Each region has its typical natural ladies claiming to have been given the information by implementing emergency lights like in the office in Lima as shaking stops. Try to take shelter under a heavy desk wonders — some beautiful, some potentially disastrous. extraterrestrials have been predicting a catastrophic earthquakes often go hand in hand with a power failure. or doorframe. Stay away from windows and glass and And while outsiders still wonder how people can live under earthquake in Lima. The waiting and uncertainty is a real be aware of things that might topple. Prepare for the constant threat of a possible earthquake without going threat to mental health and the only way to reduce the risk Over the years, past experiences and new technical possible aftershocks. Once the earthquake is over, do around the bend, Peruvians learn how to handle this, as do is through constant preparation — after all, it is better to developments have helped to provide more safety: Seismic not use the elevator and help other colleagues to safety our Oiltanking colleagues. be safe than sorry. Therefore, Oiltanking strives to be as survey techniques have been optimized to provide better while proceeding to the Evacuation Assembly Area. well prepared as possible for such an event. early warnings, for instance, and construction techniques The country lies above have improved considerably. Modern buildings in hazardous  If you happen to be outside while the earthquake is an area of intense There are mandatory drills from the Peruvian government, regions are designed to resist earthquakes by having a happening, stay there and move away from buildings, seismic activity (Nazca which are conducted throughout the whole country. In special structure or being built on springs. Nevertheless, streetlights and utility wires as falling debris can cause tectonic plate), like much of the addition, Oiltanking holds earthquake drills good preparation is crucial at the moment of an earthquake. fatalities. If you are in a car, stay inside! Pull over to entire Pacific coast of North and South on a regular basis. Only the members of Our colleagues in Peru know this and although the risk can the side of the road, stop as quickly as safety permits America. In 2012 alone, over 100 the elected Security Committee know the never be eliminated completely, it definitely helps them to and avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, earthquakes rattled Peru — the most recent date of the exercise, which is only feel safer. overpasses and utility wires. being on August 2, 2012 at 6.1 on the Richter “communicated” to the colleagues scale. In 2007, the city of Pisco was the epicenter when they hear the wail of of a violent earthquake measuring 7.9 on the the emergency siren. Richter scale. Over 500 deaths were reported and the Then everyone knows city is still recovering from the material damage caused. exactly how to react: The deadliest earthquake, which happened in May 1970, Stay calm, follow the and the second deadliest recorded, which struck Peru’s clearly marked escape capital, Lima, in October 1746, destroying almost the routes immediately and entire city, are also far from forgotten. head to the security Knowing what to do point marked “Zona Colleagues at one of the Segura en Caso de terminals in Peru review Sismos” (Earthquake the course of their latest earthquake drill.

42 CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS 43 Sport Sport Strikingly good pose Run Tiran Lopez, Project Manager at Oiltanking Houston, has found a healthy way to keep for Leukemia his work-life balance in good shape. In his spare time, he does bodybuilding and has obtained the highly coveted status of professional bodybuilder. Here is his muscular, * Leukemia is cancer of the blood cells and starts in the bone tension-filled story. marrow (the soft tissue inside most bones) where blood cells are made. Characterized by an abnormal increase in immature white blood cells, there are several different types of leukemia grouped by how fast it develops and what kind of white blood My personal journey to achieve something special with my favorites. Given that the muscular makeup of your body cell is affected. my physique started five or six years ago when I felt my has more than one type of muscle fiber, using different sets health was starting to slip. I started to feel lethargic and and repetition ranges will have different results. run down and needed a change and focusing on my physical well-being seemed to make the most sense. “To ensure I keep the intensity of my workouts very high, I plan my training in advance and during my When I started my training, I didn’t know much about the training sessions I watch the clock to control rest proper way to exercise and even less about nutrition. With periods between each set.” the help of people I met at the local fitness center where I live, over time I improved. My heightened desire led me to Staying physically fit is one thing, but competing is another attend a bodybuilding competition in 2006 called the Branch and might not appeal to everyone. After taking to the Warren Classic in Conroe, Texas. Through the encouragement bodybuilding stage for the first time, I was hooked and On September 23, 2012, two organization “Loop Organisatie the world, it sets amateurs of all ages of a competitor at this show, I set my sights on entering a craved the excitement of posing in front of a cheering teams of colleagues from Oiltanking Leukemiestichting (LOL)” (Running in motion but also attracts similar contest sometime in the near future. crowd — a desire that only grew as I started collecting Amsterdam and their relatives — 14 Organization of the Leukemia international top athletes. About trophies and titles. Over the next four years, I would in total — underlined their social Foundation) and took place during 250,000 encouraging spectators and “You cannot out-train a bad diet — educating yourself compete in over ten bodybuilding competitions, advancing commitment by participating in the the famous Dam tot Damloop, which dozens of live music performances on proper nutrition is critical.” from novice to amateur and beyond. In July 2011, I was ten-English mile (16.1 km) Run for is part of the Dam to Dam weekend guaranteed another unique fortunate enough to achieve my goal of obtaining the status Leukemia*. Not only did Oiltanking in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. It atmosphere this year. I became very serious about my training and understanding of a natural professional bodybuilder by winning my class Amsterdam and the participants includes several distances (10 miles of how important nutrition and diet was to increasing and the overall round for my Professional Natural come up with good financial results, Race / Business run / Charity run, 4 muscle mass and reducing overall body fat. I even hired a Bodybuilding Association (PNBA) pro qualification. raising more than EUR 3,000; they miles, Run 2Day Ladies Damloop, professional nutritionist (diet coach) to help me make sure Most recently, with the help of Oiltanking as my were able to flaunt their 2.2-kilometer mini run and that everything I put in my mouth premier sponsor, I competed sportsmanship, too: Their fastest 0.6-kilometer mini run, Dam to Dam Good cause Colleagues was exactly what my body needed in two professional time was 1:13:07 (last place: Wandeltocht (walking) and Dam to from the Oiltanking to achieve the best physique bodybuilding 1:55:03). The “Run for Leukemia” Dam Fiets Classic (for cycling). As terminal Amsterdam and possible. The changes to my competitions: The first was initiated by the Dutch one of the biggest running events in their relatives helped raise body due to the focused in Dallas, Texas money by participating in training and improved (PNBA Nationals) the Run for Leukemia. nutrition made all the and the second in difference. Chicago, Illinois (PNBA Natural Over the years, my training Universe). methods have varied, but currently I train one body part per week In contrast to novices or and incorporate cardiovascular training such as amateurs, professionals can be cycling (spinning class) two to three times a week. awarded money and prizes. But for me In bodybuilding, every group of muscles is important it’s not the tangible value that keeps me and none should be neglected. I train at least five motivated to diet and train at this level. days a week, spending about one to one hour and Standing on stage with some of the best fifteen minutes in the fitness center. Resistance bodybuilders in the world is an honor and exercises such as squats, dumbbell bench a priceless reward for the arduous presses and dead lifts (all with very heavy workouts and many sacrifices I’ve weights in a full but safe range of motion) are experienced.

44 CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS 45 Sport READER' S CORNER Just keep ... and action! Try to solve our riddle and don't miss out on the chance to win! Please send your entries to: [email protected], or contact us by post: Oiltanking GmbH, connections Team, Admiralitaetstrasse 55, running! 20459 Hamburg, Germany or by fax: +49(0)40 370 99 499.

CONGRATULATIONS

Take 1000, add 40 Quiz solution Working in the finance going.” When he crossed the then add another department at Oiltanking finish line after four hours, 39 Come on now be honest! What was your first result when you added the numbers Ebytem, Argentina, Gonzalo minutes and 21 seconds, he 1000; then add 30 of our last quiz without a calculator or pen, was it by any chance 5,000? The Aispuro certainly knows his was cheered home by his and another 1000; decimal sequence tends to confuse the brain a bit. But, we knew all along that numbers. On October 7, friends, who had been now add 20 and you would come up with the right solution, namely 4,100, just as Carsten J. 2012, however, he proved supporting him throughout Nies, Calpam Mineralöl-Gesellschaft mbH, in teamwork with his colleague Karsten that he also knows how to the whole race. again 1000, then Wagener did. Well done! And, with the two Sauna Wellness Sets well on their way handle large numbers of add 10! they will be excellently prepared for future burning questions. kilometers. Having trained For the second year, the relentlessly for the last four International Marathon of the months, he ran his first city of Buenos Aires was NEW QUIZ marathon in this year’s linked to the Foundation Buenos Aires Marathon. Baccigalupo Sports for people And what a difference it with disabilities and Perfect match was compared to his implemented the program As we all know regular brain exercise can experiences in the 8, 10 or “Corro x 2”. The aim was to enhance brain function as it helps to produce 21–kilometer marathons he raise funds to provide more new brain cells. Also the oxygen flow to the usually does! Not only was mentally disabled people brain is increased which literally helps you the marathon an amazing access to sports and improve think. To keep your grey cells fit, here is journey through the their quality of life. Gonzalo is our new question: The following equation beautiful city center with its more than eager to help by is correct but, can you ensure that it is still famous attractions, it also participating again next year accurate when you move just one match? (We took him through forests — and achieve a new personal are not talking about using the unequal sign here, but actually two other possible solutions!) Does our new quiz make you and along tranquil lakes. It best! gasp for air? Take a deep breath, you have time until February 5, 2013, to send us your matching answers. The winner often pushed Gonzalo and awaits a Victorinox Voyager Lite. Good luck! the other eight thousand participants to their limits, too. “During the race, my 42 K Gonzalo Aispuro, sensations changed with Oiltanking Ebytem, every kilometer. Until exhausted but proud Sweet as candy kilometer 30, I ran with my of having finished the Cookies, peanuts, pudding, pumpkin, sugar — all yummy things legs but then the ‘wall’ Buenos Aires Marathon. that are high in calories, but also popular pet names parents like to appeared and only my head give their children or words that love birds whisper to each other. and the music urged me If a “cutie pie” has enriched your life since 2012 (early 2013) and onwards,” explains Gonzalo. “The desire to reach the finish you’d like to share this with our readers, we invite you to send us line and prove that I was up to the challenge really kept me the pictures of your wedding and/or baby. The more the better as luckily, in this case, we don’t have to watch our waistlines — just the deadline: February 5, 2013!

46 CONNECTIONS CONNECTIONS 47 Last but not Least Picture: courtesy of JOOheng Tan/Lowe Singapore/Unilever 2012 Singapore/Unilever JOOheng Tan/Lowe of Picture: courtesy

“Dirt is good”

“Dirt is Good” is more than just a catchy slogan. It is a philosophy that underpinned the re-launch of Unilever's detergent OMO back in 2003. The idea is geared towards changing people’s attitudes when it comes to dirt, highlighting that getting messy is good for both the body and soul. The recent OMO campaign “Futures” was created by the advertising agency Lowe Singapore, who commissioned JOOheng Tan to depict kid’s aspirational futures out of sand.

The artist who used to be a graphic designer got into sand sculpturing as a hobby in 1997. Bagging an impressive number of prizes — among them several World Championships — propelled him internationally to the status of Master sand sculptor. The masterly backdrops for the “Futures” campaign “Astronaut”, “Physicist” and “Archaeologist” are each made of 18 tons of sand, built with superior craftsmanship and high levels of detail, which incorporate shadows, shading and depth. Of course, JOOheng and the kids get hugely dirty while sculpturing, but do see for yourself, isn’t it good?