Aegean SHIPPING MANAGEMENT S.A. | Social Responsibility

It is the Company's Policy to promote and enhance Health and Safety at Sea, Prevention of Human Injury or loss of life, welfare of employees and avoidance of any adverse impact on the environment (marine or otherwise), including property.

 

The Company's objectives regarding Safety Management are:

• To provide for Safe Practices in ship Operation and a safe and healthy working environment.
• To prevent damage to the ship, her cargo and the environment.
• To establish safeguards against identified risks and to operate the ships within ALARP.
• To prevent loss of human life and personal injury.
• To continuously improve Safety Management skills of personnel ashore and aboard ships, including preparing for emergencies related both to Safety & Environmental Protection.

In order to effectively implement its Health, Safety Management & Environmental Protection Policy the Company:

• Has appointed dedicated personnel with the responsibility to maintain an overview of Health, Safety and Environment matters.
• Consistently  follows all national and international rules and regulations governing the Marine Industry.
• Takes into account applicable guidelines, standards, codes and publications which are issued by maritime organisations and are directed towards creating a safe and pollution free environment.
• Continuously monitors all safety aspects of the vessels.
• Frequently inspects and audits the vessels and carries out necessary maintenance and repairs.
• Continuously improves its management system by taking corrective & preventive action for identified problem areas.
• Provides adequate resources to effectively implement this management system.
• Provides a framework for setting & reviewing environmental & other objectives and targets

All Company employees, shore based and sea going are responsible for implementing the company's Health, Safety Management & Environmental Protection Policy. The Company's Management is responsible for monitoring and reviewing this Policy at regular intervals in order to ensure that it remains relevant and effective.

The Company is committed to providing a Quality service, which consistently & continuously meets the requirements of its customers whilst protecting assets under its care, its employees and the environment in general.

This is achieved by establishing & discharging managerial & operational processes, which have emerged from the combination of sound managerial principles and long lasted experience in the Shipping Industry.

The Company aims to remain a quality service provider by:

• Meeting customer requirements as defined in the relevant Ship Management Agreements and Charter Parties,
• Developing and implementing controlled processes,
• Continual improvements in operational responsiveness,
• Complying with the requirements of ISO 9001:2000, ISO 14001:2004 and ISM Code as well as continually improving its Management System,
• Establishing and communicating measurable & consistent objectives and performance targets to company employees,
• Complying with applicable statutory requirements, international legislation and classification society requirements related to the services provided 
• Operating vessels without accident(s) or incident(s) that could endanger company’s employees, the environment or assets under the company’s care,
• Complying with current Health & Safety legislation and,
• Developing employee skills and increasing their contribution through effective training

In order to meet the above objectives the company has developed and implements a Management System which as a minimum shall meet the requirements of ISO 9001:2000, ISO 14001:2004 & IMO ISM Code. All Company employees are responsible for implementing the company's Quality Policy. The Company's Management is responsible for monitoring and reviewing the Quality Policy at regular intervals in order to ensure that it remains relevant and effective.

It is the Company’s Policy to establish and implement a “Security Management System” in order to meet the following security requirements:

• To develop, implement and maintain a Ship Security Plan for each vessel in accordance with the requirements of the ISPS code Part A & Part B and the U.S. Coast Guard NVIC 10-02.
• To detect security threats and take preventive measures against potential security incidents.
• To designate appropriate senior staff with overall responsibility for security within the company and individual ships.
• To cooperate with the responsible authorities and to act on advice from them.
• To promote security awareness amongst all employees.
• To establish a reporting & recording system for incidents.
• To establish, implement and verify specific security measures on board.

The company is committed in providing the appropriate security guidance, advice, documentation and necessary resources in order to meet its security objectives and fully comply with the requirements of the ISPS code and any additional requirements that may be stipulated by the relevant competent Contracting Governments.

In particular, the Company is committed to ensure that the Company Security Officer, the Master and the Ship Security Officer are given the necessary support to fulfil their duties and responsibilities in accordance with chapter XI-2 and this part of the code. Furthermore, the company shall consistently and systematically review its security policy and relevant security measures in order to ensure that they remain effective.

 

The company is fully committed to maintain a safe and healthy working environment, free from alcohol and unauthorised use of drugs. Illegal or unauthorised possession, consumption, distribution or sale of drugs or alcohol by any shipboard personnel of the company shall lead to instant dismissal and will render the person liable to legal proceedings.

As a condition of continued employment all shipboard personnel are required to submit to drug and alcohol testing. Refusal to consent to the testing, falsification of a test or positive test results will result in the termination of employment.

All shore based and shipboard personnel of the company are strictly required to adhere to this policy by fully complying with the company's procedures and all applicable national and international regulations.

Company’s vessels are dry from alcohol according to "EXXON-MOBIL" guidance. The Company has defined as alcohol impairment a blood alcohol content of 40mg/100ml or more.

In order to enforce this policy:

1) The Company implements very strict rules and procedures in alcohol distribution and consumption.

2) The possession, use, trafficking of any kind of illegal drugs and for any reason on board the ship is prohibited.

3) The Company implements procedures in alcohol distribution and consumption, which meet or exceed the relevant ICS/OCIMF guidelines and enforces a strict blood/breath and/or urine test schedule involving:

• mandatory pre-joining tests for all seafarers
• periodical random testing/screening on board vessels
• regular breathalyser tests on board, either as a control procedure, or during the case of an investigative process

Seafarers found to be in violation of this Policy shall be immediately released from duty and dismissal / disciplinary action will be taken. Adherence to this Policy is considered as a term of employment.

 

The Company in pursuit of its business objectives is committed to a course of the highest integrity, which avoids even the appearance of impropriety in the conduct of its affairs.

The Company’s relationships with clients and suppliers are based on sound commercial criteria that are not influenced by other factors such as gifts or entertainment. In this way the Company is able to sustain constructive ongoing relationships with those organisations, companies and individuals doing business or seeking to do business with it.

Accordingly the receiving or giving of gifts, meals, travel, entertainment or other favours between employees and business contacts should be moderate, infrequent, appropriate to the occasion and only within genuine business purposes.

The giving of or receiving cash gifts is strictly prohibited.