A Strategic Commitment to Sustainability

The BW Offshore Ethics and Business Conduct compliance programme covers a range of subjects and comprises compliance management activities administered by BW Offshore’s Head of Corporate Integrity, who reports to the General Counsel.

The programme, activities and progress of the Ethics and Business Conduct compliance programme are reported to and discussed by the BW Offshore Board of Directors on a quarterly basis.

BW Offshore has mandatory e-learning modules for all employees that must be completed on a regular basis to ensure that the entire workforce knows and understands the Company’s expectations and commitment to compliance. The Company also provides job-role or geography-specific compliance training on-site, as dictated by the Ethics and Business Conduct risk assessment.

The Code, Guidelines and other key compliance programme documents and activities (including e-learning) are available in BW Offshore’s common languages: English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Bahasa Indonesian.

BW Offshore opposes any and all forms of corruption and is—together with the other Companies related to the BW Group—a member of the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network MACN, a global business network working towards the vision of a maritime industry free of corruption that enables fair trade to the benefit of society at large.

Corruption can often be hidden in common forms of disguise, such as through gifts and entertainment, donations, sponsorship or political contributions. The exchange of corporate gifts and entertainment in a business context can help build goodwill and is a legitimate and valuable component of how the Company conducts its business. Instances that are excessive or could be seen to influence decision-making or judgements are not acceptable, and BW Offshore has created corporate reporting and approval mechanisms to review and monitor the giving or receipt of gifts or hospitality.

The Company does not make political contributions, nor does it authorise any personnel or representatives to do so on its behalf. BW Offshore however respects its personnel’s right to voluntarily participate in political and democratic processes with their own time and resources.

BW Offshore is open to providing responsible and ethical community support: sponsorship, charitable contributions and donations, be it in-kind, services, knowledge, or direct financial contributions, aimed at improving the lives and welfare of the local communities in which it operates. The Company is careful to ensure that charitable contributions and sponsorships are not used as a cover for and do not constitute bribery. Appropriate compliance and corporate authorisation review and approval mechanisms are in place for this purpose.

During the 2021 financial year, BW Offshore was not made aware of any confirmed cases of corruption.

Please click here to read BW Offshore’s guidelines on Anti-Bribery and Corruption

BW Offshore supports the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the standards advised by the International Labour Organisation. Slavery, forced labour, child labour, torture and other violations of human rights are totally unacceptable. As part of our commitment to anti-slavery and adherence to human rights, BW Offshore performs risk assessment, due diligence and monitoring on both its own activities and operations and those of its business partners.

BW Offshore Human Rights and Decent Working Conditions Policy

In accordance with Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, an annual statement is published describing our commitment. Here are the statements of BW Offshore.

2021 BW Offshore Modern Slavery Statement

2022 BW Offshore Modern Slavery Statement

BW Offshore encourages open discussions about responsible conduct and if any relevant party discovers any unethical or illegal practice or finds themselves in an ethical dilemma, they are obliged to seek advice.

It is every BW Offshore Representative’s responsibility to conduct their activities in accordance with the BW Offshore Purpose & Principles and with good, ethical judgment consistent with the requirements of our Code and Guidelines however, they are not alone in this effort and are encouraged to raise questions, dilemmas, concerns or any suspected instances of non-compliance to the Head of Corporate Integrity.

BW Offshore has established an externally available grievance mechanism (the BW Offshore Speak Up Channel) allowing reporting of concerns about breaches of laws, regulations or BW Offshore’s policies and procedures. The Speak Up Channel enables reporting via the web or by telephone, with local access numbers provided for most countries in the world. Users can speak to operators in 58 languages, including the official languages of all the countries in which BW Offshore operates. Reports can be made anonymously. Alternately, BW Offshore can be contacted on compliance@bwoffshore.com.

BW Offshore does not tolerate retaliation against any personnel for raising any 'good faith' concern, question, grievance or complaint. All reports are treated confidentially and investigated, if necessary, promptly, thoroughly and fairly. Breaches of BW Offshore’s Code or relevant statutory provisions may result in disciplinary action, or dismissal with or without notice, and may also be reported to the relevant authorities. BW Offshore is committed to making necessary corrections and taking remedial action to prevent recurrence, should improper practice occur.

Anyone wishing to enquire about BW Offshore's human rights and decent working condition practices under the Norwegian Transparency Act may do so by submitting a question through BW Offshore's Speak Up Channel, using the 'Ask a Question' function.  

speakup.bwoffshore.com

Read the report here.