Proactive anti-corruption measures in Solvang
Increased mutual trust and ethical conduct in global shipping are rewards from Solvang’s anti-corruption activities across ports and regions.
«Solvang has fostered a culture of reporting all incidents of attempted corruption, and to keep updated maps of high-risk areas», states Mr. Per Øyvind Nedrebø, HSEQ and Performance Manager in Solvang.
The approach enhances transparency and allows Solvang to bring valuable documentation to the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN), where the company promotes mutual trust and ethical strategies in global shipping.
According to Mr. Nedrebø, the culture of reporting and posting incidents serves as a training tool not only to the crew but the entire organization:
«Insight into concrete cases provides our crew with the skills and confidence to handle, prevent, and document corruption-related incidents effectively. To onshore staff, the proactive stance serves to enhance the company’s overall anti-corruption framework».
Solvang anti-corruption measures:
- Displaying anti-corruption posters in every captain’s office
- Training and awareness campaigns for crew and officers to handle corrupt demands
- Encouraging consistent reporting of corruption incidents
- Passing on observations data to the Maritime AntiCorruption Network (MACN)
The collective "No"
MACN’s global efforts aimed at reducing and eliminating corruption in the maritime industry match Solvang’s strategy. A cornerstone of this strategy is the principle that all stakeholders must collectively say “no” to corruptible demands.
While this approach is highly effective when widely adopted, it requires industrywide participation to truly succeed.
Solvang’s membership of associations
Solvang is member of Norwegian Ship Owner Association, Maritimt Forum, MACN, Clean Shipping Alliance, Tidentalliansen, Incentra, and Intertanko.
Integrity of supply networks
Solvang is certified according to ISO 14001-2015, specifying ethical and environmental standards for the company, which is extended throughout the supplier network. It is a prerequisite for Solvang’s collaboration with suppliers for them to respect local laws and not
engage in any form of corrupt practices, including extortion, fraud, or bribery.
If any employee or professional under contract with Solvang may have an interest of any kind in the supplier’s business or any kind of economic ties with the supplier, Solvang requires this information to be shared with us in order to maintain the integrity of all our transactions.
Industry best practice initiatives
Norwegian Hull Club is another association assembling representatives from line, tankers, bulk and other shipping segments. Common topics are corruption trends. There should never be any doubt that Solvang assumes full responsibility for the integrity of its relationships with other parties. We will not accept nor offer any benefits in order to smoothen business with the Company.
To stay fully transparent and accountable Solvang will reject invitations to sporting or cultural events, holidays and recreational trips or activities paid by interested parties. Any exceptions connected with Christmas or other occasions will include only small gratuities which don’t raise doubt about Solvang’s dedication to fight corruption in all its forms, everywhere we go.
Sanctions policy
Solvang adheres to economic or trade sanctions laws, regulations, embargoes or restrictive measures carried out by:
- The United Nations;
- The United States of America;
- The European Union, or member states;
- The United Kingdom;
As a rule, Solvang follows the blocked nationals and persons list issued by OFAC, and the targets and investment ban list issued by HMT.
Solvang enforces our sanctions policy by the following means:
- Due diligence audits, particularly towards vessel buyers and new clients;
- Sanctions clauses in all contracts, encompassing time and voyage charter parties, covering all major transactions;
- Norway, or any countries to which any of these are bound, as well as their institutions and agencies, and special sanctions authorities;
- Routine sanctions compliance checks among suppliers;
- Use of legal counseling in contractual negotiations.
