Gökce Atay, Senior Operations Manager

As Senior Operations Manager at Uni-Tankers’ Houston office, Gökce Atay’s day start before sunrise. With colleagues in Europe already hours into their workday, she hits the ground running coordinating tanker movements and managing daily operations with precision and calmness.  

Originally from Izmir, Turkey, Gökce studied dairy industries and began her career in insurance. But a nudge from her husband, a master mariner, set her on another path.

“He told me, ‘You are smart, and your English is strong, you would thrive in shipping’,” she says. 

That encouragement led to roles in bunker trading, chartering, and eventually operations. In 2011, she officially joined Uni-Tankers through and acquisition. And almost seven years ago, she relocated to Houston with her family to take on a new role.

“It was a big change, but we took it on as a family,” she reflects. 

Her husband transitioned into consultancy work and their daughter quickly adapted. The time zone differences now shape her daily rhythm, intense mornings filled with global coordination, and quieter afternoons focused on deeper work. 

Challenge & Collaboration 

Settling into life in Houston brought both opportunity and adjustment. 

“Visiting and living are very different,” Gökce notes. “But working in a Danish-owned company helped. I was already used to the mindset. The open culture made a big difference as well. At Uni-Tankers everyone’s input matters. Even across borders, we stay closely connected through weekly calls and global OPS gatherings.”

That collaborative spirit extends across the broader presence of the USTC Group in Houston, where eight USTC companies share an office.  

“We share a kitchen, hosts events together, and use all the opportunities for collaboration across companies that we get. There is a real sense of synergy. You feel like you are part of something bigger.” 

Development & Mentorship 

Mentorship is a natural part of Gökce’s role.  

“Operations is the perfect place to get to know the maritime industry,” she explains. “People often join without prior experience, then it is my job to guide them through the hows and whys. Success in operations starts with asking questions. That curiosity lead to smarter ways of working and that is how we grow as a team and as a company.”