Our Commitment to Responsible Shipping
As a leading shipping company headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands with over a century of maritime expertise, Spliethoff Group is dedicated to operating with integrity, sustainability, and social responsibility. We uphold the highest ethical standards across all aspects of our business, ensuring compliance with international regulations and fostering a culture of safety, inclusivity, and environmental stewardship.
Our Vision for a Sustainable Future
Spliethoff Group envisions a future where:
- Maritime operations are environmentally responsible and socially just.
- Human rights are upheld across all business sectors and supply chains.
- The shipping industry leads the way in ethical and sustainable trade.
About Spliethoff Group
Spliethoff Group is a privately owned organization managing a portfolio of leading global and regional shipping companies engaged in diverse cargo operations worldwide. Our group includes:
- Spliethoff’s Bevrachtingskantoor B.V.
- BigLift Shipping
- Bore
- DYT
- ForestWave
- Sevenstar
- Transfennica
- Transfennica Logistics
- Wijnne & Barends
All companies operate under senior executive management teams and unified Boards of Directors, collectively referred to as "Spliethoff Group," "the Company," "we," and "us" throughout this statement.
Our Company Culture
At Spliethoff Group, we foster a culture of ethics, integrity, and inclusion, recognizing that our success relies on the dedication of every employee—both shipboard and shoreside. We are committed to:
- Ethical Conduct: Upholding the highest standards of honesty and transparency in all business dealings.
- Diversity & Inclusion: Promoting a workplace where employees from all backgrounds feel valued, respected, and empowered.
- Accountability: Encouraging open communication and ensuring that concerns are addressed without fear of retaliation.
- Collaboration: Building strong connections across our workforce to drive innovation and excellence.
We believe that embracing diverse perspectives strengthens our organization and enhances decision-making, ultimately supporting our mission to deliver world-class shipping services.
Our People: Safety, Well-being, and Fair Employment
Our employees are the heart of our business. We are dedicated to ensuring their safety, well-being, and professional development by:
- Providing a safe and healthy work environment for all employees and third-party personnel.
- Expanding well-being programs that promote physical and mental health, work-life balance, and social connectivity.
- Adhering to global employment protection laws and the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) to guarantee fair compensation, reasonable working hours, and proper living conditions.
- Respecting freedom of association and collective bargaining while maintaining constructive relationships with trade unions.
Human Rights and Ethical Responsibility
As a global shipping group, we recognize our responsibility to respect and uphold human rights in all areas of operation. Our approach is guided by international frameworks, including:
- Universal Declaration of Human Rights
- UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights
- ILO Core Labour Standards and Conventions
- International Bill of Human Rights
We commit to:
- Conducting ongoing assessments to identify and mitigate human rights risks in our operations and supply chains.
- Ensuring that national and international human rights standards are upheld, prioritizing the highest standard in case of discrepancies.
- Educating employees on human rights commitments through mandatory training programs and company-wide awareness initiatives.
- Implementing clear grievance mechanisms to ensure concerns are addressed effectively.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
Beyond legal compliance, we aim to be an employer of choice by fostering a work environment where everyone has equal opportunities for growth. Our DEI principles include:
- Celebrating diversity in gender, age, race, ethnicity, nationality, abilities, sexual orientation, religion, education, and socioeconomic background.
- Zero tolerance for discrimination, harassment, and abuse, with robust monitoring and reporting mechanisms.
- Encouraging employees to speak up against any form of workplace injustice, ensuring protection against retaliation.
Eliminating Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking
Spliethoff Group unequivocally condemns all forms of slavery, forced labor, and human trafficking. We are committed to:
- Conducting rigorous due diligence to detect and eliminate exploitation in our supply chain.
- Enforcing strict Supplier Codes of Conduct to ensure business partners share our commitment to ethical labor practices.
- Implementing training and awareness programs to help employees recognize and report human rights violations.
Health, Environment, Safety, and Security (HESS)
We operate robust management systems to comply with international maritime safety and environmental regulations. Our HESS priorities include:
- Preventative safety measures to protect employees, cargo, and the environment.
- Incident reporting and response mechanisms to mitigate risks and continuously improve safety procedures.
- Strict environmental policies aimed at reducing emissions, optimizing fuel efficiency, and promoting sustainable operations.
Further details on our environmental efforts are outlined in our Sustainability Report.
Speaking Up: Ethics and Compliance
Spliethoff Group promotes a culture of openness, transparency, and accountability. We encourage employees and stakeholders to report concerns about ethical misconduct through:
- Whistleblower protection programs
- Anonymous reporting channels
- A strict non-retaliation policy
Our Global Ethics & Compliance Department is responsible for addressing and resolving reported concerns.
Anti-Corruption and Bribery
We uphold a zero-tolerance policy on corruption and bribery, recognizing the heightened risks in commercial shipping operations. Our anti-corruption measures include:
- Mandatory training programs on ethical business conduct.
- Supplier and partner due diligence to prevent unethical practices.
- Regular audits and compliance checks to ensure adherence to anti-bribery laws.
Business Partners and Supply Chain Ethics
As a global company, we work with thousands of suppliers, vendors, agents, and partners. To ensure our standards are upheld throughout our supply chain, we enforce a Business Partner Code of Conduct, which includes:
- Human Rights & Labor Protections: Prohibiting forced labor, child labor, and exploitation.
- Fair Working Conditions: Enforcing ethical wage, hour, and workplace safety policies.
- Environmental Sustainability: Encouraging responsible resource use and emissions reduction.
- Zero Tolerance for Corruption: Requiring transparency and ethical decision-making.
We conduct risk-based due diligence on all new and existing business partners and take corrective actions if non-compliance is identified.
Spliethoff Group stands firm in its commitment to these values and recognize that collaboration, accountability, and transparency are key to driving meaningful change.
