Sustainability
Sustainable business development
Main ambitions and strategies
All J.J. Ugland companies aim to manage their business in a profitable and responsible manner and seek to promote sustainability in all aspects of their activities. AS Uglands Rederi with Ugland Marine Services AS as its management company, has chosen five high-priority UN sustainability goals, which together with our double materiality assessment, form the basis of our contribution to a better future for our planet.
Responsible business practice
Our management company, Ugland Marine Services AS, is through several operational documents committed to apply environmental and social principles as an integral part of our business. This includes high ethical standards in all areas, decent working conditions and prevention of human rights violations, and is clearly reflected in our Transparency Act Statement and our Supplier Declaration.
ESG reporting
Our employees constitute our company’s most valued asset, and therefore, employee health and employee safety is always our highest priority. To prevent work-related injuries and illnesses, and promote a safe, healthy workplace, the JJUC has implemented ISO 45001, giving us a useful framework in our stive to always improve in these areas. Please see our HSSEQ Report for further details.
Environment
Shipping remains an emission-friendly form of transport due to low fuel consumption per ton mile of transported goods. However, we are constantly working to further improve our performance and thereby decrease our emissions to the environment. Our company is certified in accordance with the ISO 14001, providing assurance to the company management, employees and external stakeholders, that our environmental impact is continuously measured and improved. Please see our Environmental Report for further details.
Health and safety
Our employees constitute our company’s most valued asset, and therefore, employee health and employee safety is always our highest priority. To prevent work-related injuries and illnesses, and promote a safe, healthy workplace, the JJUC has implemented ISO 45001, giving us a useful framework in our stive to always improve in these areas. Please see our HSSEQ Report for further details.
SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT
We believe that local support and engagement is a valuable investment in a community's welfare and that it creates shared value for both the company and for society. The J.J. Ugland Companies have long traditions in providing substantial funding for various activities in the communities where we conduct business.
SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT IN GRIMSTAD, NORWAY
For the J.J. Ugland Companies, supporting the local community is an important part of our corporate social responsibility, and we are happy to carry on our company's long traditions in sponsoring local activities, especially within sport and cultural events that benefit the whole community.
Among our many sponsor partners are the local male and female football teams; FK Jerv and FK Amazon. They have expressed their gratitude by naming the local football stadium "J.J. Ugland Stadion" after our company's former owner, Johan Jørgen Ugland, who had a close relationship with the clubs throughout his life.
SOME OF THE LOCAL ACTIVITITES WE PROUDLY SUPPORT:
SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT IN THE PHILIPPINES
As most of the crew on board our bulk vessels are Filipino citizens, we have, for many years, been involved in several social projects in the Philippines. Below are a few of the projects the JJUC supports in the Philippines. We are proud to be associated with our support partners.
Ugland circle of wives
Ugland Circle of Wives (UCW) is an idealistic association founded in 2008 by wives of the JJUC Philippine officers and crew. Their main purpose is to collect funds locally as well as from our seafarers and use the funds for supporting the less fortunate in the Philippines. JJUC monitor the activities of the UCW and contribute with additional funding as needed and in agreement with the UCW. JJUC have provided extra funding to the UCW in connection with extraordinary incidents, such as flooding and hurricanes.
After a long period of no or very limited activity due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we were glad to see that in October 2023 a new board was elected, and that the UCW was yet again ready to continue their important charity work. Some of the main activities of the UCW have been to assist neglected elderly and less fortunate children. The UCW has also given assistance in the aftermath of some of the most severe hurricanes affecting the Philippines, and during the Laguna flooding in 2009, where the UCW provided meals especially prepared for the children seeking refuge at the safe shelters provided by the local authorities. JJUC are proud to be associated with the UCW and the work they perform.
UWC’s relief work includes:
Feeding programme for cancer patients at Bahay Aruga, Malate, Manila
Donations to abandoned children at Elsie Gatches, Alabang, Muntinlupa
Gift-giving to the elderly, St.Joseph Foundation, Cavite
Donations to the Philippine National School for the blind, Pasay City
Donation of television sets to Kiloloron Elementary School, Quezon
Feeding programme for 250 children, Taguig City
PTC-CSJ Foundation
The JJ Ugland Companies support the PTC-CSJ Foundation. The foundation is a comprehensive approach to improve basic education outcomes, and is now moving towards it sixth year of operation and implementating the 3G Program. Program components include in-school feeding, sports development through baseball, learning enrichment in arts, reading, and training for teachers and parents. With support from donors, the 3G Program benefits almost 3,000 public elementary students every year, and helps to improve the quality and outcomes of basic education in the Philippines.
Training Centre Manila
AS Uglands Rederi, as a member of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, supports the presence and activity of the Norwegian Training Center (NTC) in Manila. The NTC is considered important not only to the Norwegian shipowners, but also to the Philippines. The investments made by the NTC over the years, represent a considerable contribution to the Philippines; first of all to the individuals receiving the training, but also to their families, their communities and ultimately to the nation itself. AS Uglands Rederi hopes that the training centre will be able to continue its presence and contribution to the Philippine society.
Mapúa PTC College of Maritime Education and Training
The JJUC has since 2009 in cooperation with PTC, sourced and sponsored cadets under the Marine Transport and the Marine Engineering programmes offered by the MAPÚA-PTC College of Maritime‑ Education and Training. Selection of cadet candidates is based on thorough interviews with focus on personal capabilities and their need for sponsorship.
Based on the reputation of the MAPÚA-PTC College of Maritime Education and Training the JJUC is expecting to blend into their already highly skilled group of officers and crew the most qualified, motivated and dedicated junior officers that the Philippines can provide.