Chapter 4 XIV

Aure, Norway, April 2009

Harald was 36 years old. His oldest memories  went back somewhat 30 years ago, on the same place where he was now standing, the shipyard the grandfather of his grandfather had started, 115 years ago. Initially it was a local business, but during the war the germans had built a dry yard for their submarines. Nowadays it was an asset for shipping that  crossed the Trondheimsleia. While repairs where a common thing, built of new vessels was on the decline. The shipyard was too small and the world situation was not helping. Harald and Erik had been trying to get into the oil business for years, with a limited success. They had gotten contracts, but it was always a one odd and nothing stable.

As Harald was approaching, he saw the Erik's pick up pulling up next to him, among the old dirty snow. Once in the office, Erik started to lay out  the meeting room and Harald got into the locker room, next to the meeting room to get his suit on. That morning there was an important meeting planned. A potential new client coming all the way from Oslo. Or at least the contact came through a lawyer company in Oslo and arranged a meeting. Erik joked that they were drug traffikers and they wanted a submarine. Or perhaps he did not joke. The weather was bad and they knew that no drug lords were hosted on any of the hotels around so they were expecting a delay or to move the meeting. The speaker on the phone had also declined any help on hotel booking or recommendations.

At 1030 Lana came up from the reception. the visitors had arrived. Erik went to met them while asking Lana to give word to Harald, who was on the shop. There was 3 men standing at the reception, still taking jackets out. Erik stayed aside, smiling politely and silent while the North Faces went to the hanger and the boots underneath the bench, on which already three aluminum briefcases were resting. As the visitors turned to face him, Erik stepped forward and introduced himself

--Erik Steintre, commercial director-- None of the visitors looked Norwegian, but indeed Europeans, so he launched himself directly into English. --My brother Harald is the technical director and he is on his way here. I am glad to see you arrived safely--

--Alfred Vonsteinfeld, Director of Offshore Products, Green Island-- This was the first time that  Erik herad the name of the (potential) client and also the name was new and unknown to him.

--James Wooldrow, Engineering Green Island Offshore-- A hard handshake. Erik Noticed that in his white collar there was a logo, a green G within a blue circle. Below it in red letters  ``Engineering''.

--Jim Petersen, project manager-- Mr Petersen sported the same shirt. some noises from the changing room area indicated that Harald was coming. Erik won some time by doing the visiting card exchang.

-- Please, follow Harald. I will be back with you in two minutes, I just want to organize something to eat-- Erik, ignoring Harald's interrogative look, went into the small room where both sharing an office, avoiding Lana, who from her own desk was following everything like a Hawk. One of her tasks was precisely to organize something to eat when there was a meeting.

Erik used his two minutes to dig out as much information about Green Island and the names he had as google would provide. It turned out, that it was more than enough. There was of course the official website but little else. The group was offered consulting focused in hig seas operations. It was a general web and there was not much specific information. There was mention about some big companies but little else. As he returned to the meeting room, everyone was getting comfortable and  Lana was busy distributing coffee and pastries with usual efficiency.

--We brought a short presentation along -- Comenzó Vosteinfeld -- firstly over our group, to introduce ourselves and then specifically over the project that we would like to talk to you about.--

The presentation barely enhanced the information that Erik had found on the internet. However things started to get interesting when they jumped into the project part.

Green Island Engineering division had a key ready project with a tourism company. This company (which name Vosteinfeld did not revealed) was specialized on theme trips to the wilderness. Now they had created a business plan based on trips and cruises on austral and artic waters. Greenland, Canada and Antarctic destinations where on the book. The company was already operating with an old soviet oceanographic ship, but the demand had skyrocketed and they now were talking about four units. Green Island had been contracted to develop the specifications and supervise construction.

--The reason to come over here is as much commercial as technical-- said Wooldrow, mopping up some cloudberry jam from his chin -- On the one had, our project is too small for a big shipyard like Daewoo and our specs are not standard, thus they have little interets. On the other hand you have less projects, but the traditions and know how. It is also a good selling point for our clients. It is not the same some anonymous vessel built in Corea as the proud craft of a viking shipyard. And you have a very nice dry dock out there.--

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