12
Annual Report 2022
Our company is committed to upholding
human rights and promoting universal
labor standards. We ensure responsible
conduct among our employees through
our values, policies, and procedures in line
with target 16.1. Corruption is strictly
prohibited in our organization, and we
encourage our staff to report any concerns they may have, as
per target 16.2.
Ethical business conduct
SeaBird Exploration upholds the highest standards of ethics and
integrity in conducting our business operations. Our
commitment to these values is reflected in our Code of Conduct
and adherence to the most stringent regulations and industry
recommendations, including the OSEBX.
We notice that strong governance and risk management
structures are critical to achieving commercial success and
creating long-term value for our stakeholders, including
employees, owners, and society at large. As such, we prioritize
transparency, reliability, and accountability in our reporting and
communications.
To ensure that our employees are equipped with the necessary
training and reporting channels, we have established robust
policies and procedures for incident reporting and follow-up.
We are fully committed to operating safely and in compliance
with local laws and regulations, and we communicate the
implications of applicable legislation to our employees through
comprehensive training programs.
At SeaBird Exploration, we are dedicated to promoting
effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels of
our organization, which is crucial to building a sustainable future.
Code of Conduct
SeaBird Exploration's commitment to transparency,
accountability, and ethical conduct is reflected in all aspects of
our business. We operate in compliance with all laws and
regulations in the jurisdictions where we work, including those in
nations and regions with underdeveloped human rights and
corruption frameworks. Our employees are expected to act
with integrity and honesty, regardless of any conflict of interest,
whether personal or organizational. Our activities contribute to
achieving SDG 8, which promotes decent work and economic
growth.
To ensure that everyone who works for and on behalf of SeaBird
adheres to our high standards of behavior and business
practices, we have developed a comprehensive Code of
Conduct. The Code outlines our beliefs and expectations on
important matters such as human and labor rights, health and
safety, business ethics, legal compliance, and more. It is
available on our website, in the Safety Management System,
and as part of new employee induction. Additionally, the Code
of Conduct is included as a general addendum in every
significant contract SeaBird Exploration signs with third parties.
Whistleblowing
SeaBird Exploration values a culture of transparency and
effective communication, recognising its importance in
achieving our objectives. We have developed a Whistleblowing
Policy to provide support to all employees and contractors who
wish to report any concerns about the company's activities,
including any actions or incidents that are in violation of the law,
our Code of Conduct, or other policies.
To encourage reporting, SeaBird Exploration has established
secure channels for reporting incidents and whistleblowing, as
well as fostering an environment where employees are
comfortable raising any concerns. Our co-workers can report
any critical issues confidentially by sending an email to
whistle@sbexp.com.
We want to assure our employees and contractors that SeaBird
Exploration and its representatives will not retaliate against
anyone who reports a concern through this channel. To date,
there have been no reports made through this channel.
Anti-bribery and corruption
SeaBird Exploration has a firm stance against corruption and
bribery in the shipping industry. Such practices pose a threat to
social and economic development, and can jeopardize the
safety of shipping crews, increase legal and reputational risks,
and drive up costs. We have implemented a zero-tolerance
policy for bribery and corruption across all stages of our
operations, as stated in our Code of Conduct.
To manage our corruption risk, we pay close attention to
operations in high-risk countries and have not made port calls in
any of the countries ranked in the bottom 20 of Transparency
International's Corruption Perception Index in 2022. We have
also ensured that there were no facilitation payments made in
2022, and have had no non-monetary sanctions imposed on us.
SeaBird Exploration is committed to promoting transparency,
fighting corruption, and employing a range of anti-corruption
measures. All our personnel undergo mandatory anti-corruption
training to raise awareness of corruption and teach them how
to deal with bribery hazards.
Supply chain management
SeaBird Exploration operates with utmost integrity and holds all
its business partners to the same ethical standards. Prior to
engaging in any significant commitments or large-scale
projects, we ensure that we have sufficient information about
potential collaborators to assess any possible exposure to
corruption or human rights issues.
The level of due diligence required for a particular business
associate is directly related to the level of cooperation involved.
Therefore, we may conduct a thorough due diligence
investigation of potential partners, including an assessment of
any reputational concerns. We conduct screening of key
suppliers, including shipping agents and commercial agents,
prior to each engagement and require them to complete a
comprehensive due diligence checklist.