Ethics in the bunker industry: IBIA Annual Convention tackles the challenge

For the first time, a bunker conference dedicated a whole session to the subject of ethics, and the message was clear: there is much room for improvement and the industry could benefit from a global code of ethics.

Justin Murphy, IBIA’s Chief Executive Officer, opened the final session at IBIA’s Annual Convention in Singapore in November, entitled “Embracing the Ethical Challenge”. He outlined, among other things, the effort underway in a working group to develop the “IBIA Guide to Best Ethical Practice”.

Murphy said there is compelling evidence that ethical businesses are more profitable than others. It pays to do the right thing, and there are numerous other benefits. This message was amplified by Michael A. Lundberg, Senior Counsel – Compliance, World Fuel Services. “Acting ethically is not only the right thing to do, it is good business,” he said. In the long run, corruption is costly and a successful business cannot be corrupt because it will eventually come out. Employees operating ‘on the edge’ can get both themselves and the company they work for in trouble. In the final presentation, Aaron Powell, Manager Ethics and Integrity, Rio Tinto Marine and Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) Steering Committee Member, explained the kind of steps that can be taken to root out corruption.

We ran two polls during the session, with questions and responses as follows:

In your opinion how common or widespread is unethical behaviour in the bunker industry?
It is very rare – 3%
It happens occasionally – 21%
It happens quite often – 50%
It happens on a daily basis – 26%

The bunker industry would benefit from a global code of ethics?
Strongly agree – 79%
Agree 19%
Disagree 0%
Strongly disagree 2%

The results speak for themselves, and if they are representative of views in the wider industry, there is much work to be done.

The ensuing panel debate, moderated by Trevor Harrison who is a maritime arbitrator and moderator by profession, saw numerous hard-hitting questions. The panellists were steadfast in their message. You have a choice in how you act and who you want to deal with. If everybody endeavours to say no to unethical practices and companies support their employees with awareness training, and setting the right kind of priorities, we can improve business practices.

Ethics session at IBIA’s Annual Convention (Photo: Nigel Draffin)

Report by Unni Einemo
unni@ibia.net