Khalid Abdullah Al Otaibi
Digital Performance Sr. Specialist Bahri Chemicals

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My name is Khalid Al Otaibi, I’m Digital Performance Sr. Specialist at Bahri, Bahri Chemicals specifically. I have a tech background, moved to the business side almost two years ago, and I’m bringing my tech background to the business side where I’m implementing technologies and driving innovation.

Bahri and Veson have been working together a long time. How has IMOS supported Bahri’s growth over the years?

Khalid highlights how the IMOS Platform has played a crucial role in supporting the company’s fleet expansion and operational excellency, sharing “Veson hugely impacted our decisions, giving us a proper system where we can have live, up-to-date information.”

This real-time data allows Bahri’s management to make fast, informed decisions. “This gives our management fast-paced knowledge so they can make decisions based on the information that we have from the system.” IMOS has also been key in aligning fleet expansion with financial objectives, improving efficiency across the board. “The fleet expansion goes hand in hand with the system and understanding our capabilities with our financials,” he adds.

Bahi is implementing sustainability functionality within Trading & Risk and has experience with ETS compliance. Could you share a bit about that?

Khalid explains how IMOS is helping Bahri navigate sustainability challenges and regulatory requirements, particularly with EU ETS Maritime. The system provides a comprehensive view of the company’s future vessel acquisitions and associated costs. “The system gives us a very nice overview of how our estimates are going to look, which vessels to acquire in the future, and how we can save costs.”

It also helps the company assess the environmental impact of its fleet. “We can give reports to our management saying that these kinds of vessels are affecting us when we’re going to the EU,” Khalid notes. This ability to forecast and report on sustainability efforts is integral as Bahri plans its fleet and manages rising operational costs.

What is the significance of data accessibility, analysis, and strategic decision-making at Bahri? 

For Bahri, the ability to access and analyze data through IMOS is central to their digital transformation. “The reporting in IMOS is really crucial to us,” Khalid says. With the system’s comprehensive data on vessels, fleet performance, and financials, Bahri’s management can make informed decisions quickly without needing to consult operational teams.

“What Veson provides, and what it’ll provide also in IMOS X, gives us an amazing overview of our vessels, our fleets, our financials,” he explains. This streamlined reporting capability supports Bahri’s commitment to leveraging technology for deeper visibility and informed decisions.

How do you see data and integrated technology solutions shaping the future of chemical shipping?

Khalid sees AI as a key driver in the future of chemical shipping, offering the potential to optimize decision-making and streamline operations. “I think AI is one of the main items to speak about,” he says, recognizing its transformative potential. However, he emphasizes the importance of a cautious, thoughtful implementation approach. “We want our AI to learn from the system rather than having it make mistakes.”

Bahri aims for AI to integrate smoothly into their existing workflows, ensuring it supports teams like operations and chartering. “We want the system to go hand in hand with our operational guys and our chartering guys,” Khalid notes. He also stresses the need for careful monitoring and validation during the initial implementation phase. “We need to understand the risks that come with it and make some validations and monitoring in the first year or two,” he adds.

In sum, Khalid views data and technology solutions like the IMOS Platform as a critical co-creator in shaping the future of Bahri Chemicals and the broader chemical shipping industry. By embracing AI and integrated systems, Bahri is positioning itself to lead in both operational excellency and sustainability in the years ahead.