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ECONOMIC RESPONSIBILITY

The development of compliance program has been in focus in the whole Aspo Group in 2019.

ESL Shipping’s vessels are an important part of the national education system. Annually, more than hundred future seamen carry out their mandatory training periods onboard our vessels. In 2019, 110 students were onboard ESL Shipping’s Finnish-flagged vessels in mandatory training. On average, each student spent 31 days onboard. In addition, we have arranged own crane driver courses for several years. ESL Shipping operates nine vessels and one barge equipped with cranes and training crewmembers to operate cranes is very important for us. In 2019, we trained 31 new crane drivers in four courses.

When sailing around the world, crew members may face actions and behavior that fulfil the criteria of bribery or corruption. ESL Shipping and parent company Aspo has a strict zero policy when it comes to corruption and bribery and to enforce this policy, all employees onboard the vessels and ashore are required to complete parent company Aspo’s Code of Conduct -training. It provides knowledge on how to recognize suspicious situations and which actions may be considered as bribery or corruption.

Compliance has been in focus in the whole Aspo Group in 2019. Compliance often means the observance of requirements, laws, rules and regulations. At ESL Shipping group, compliance means ensuring that we act in accordance with requirements that are derived from laws and regulations, our compliance manual, our internal guidelines, Aspo’s Code of Conduct and the UN Global Compact principles.

The development of compliance program started in 2019. The purpose was to develop business processes, internal guidelines, as well as documentation and reporting. The ultimate goal was to raise the bar in compliance-related matters. The implementation of the program made good progress during the year. First, compliance officers and other key employees were appointed. Next, the program was distributed to all locations. The purpose of the online training course, mandatory for all employees, is to communicate the importance of compliance in day-to-day activities and teach employees what to do in different situations by use of examples. It is also important to show how and where the personnel can report any suspected violations.