Introduction
A true commitment to corporate sustainability is one that’s enduring, gives appropriate consideration to all involved, and is concerned enough to understand its lasting impact. Established as the national shipping carrier of Saudi Arabia in 1978, Bahri has witnessed remarkable strides, internally and externally, in the field of sustainability since its foundation. The unifying factor in all the policies and practices regarding sustainable business activity is underlined by a singular idea, identifying issues, and working continuously towards solving them.
Positioned in the mainline logistics industry of Saudi Arabia, Bahri has recognised and embraced its responsibility as a key player in continued domestic development. With this role, the company also takes an utmost pride in creating initiatives and measures that set due precedence for sustainable business practices.
The unforeseen impact caused by the pandemic tested businesses across all sectors, including the maritime sector, causing mobility restrictions, supply chain disruptions, and factory and store closures worldwide. Within a very uncertain and volatile climate, many organisations were faced with a formidable challenge; who does my organisation help first? Bahri recognises this conflict and continues to work towards creating solutions that serve people first within the world of logistics, and the world at large.
As a worldwide leader in transportation and logistics, Bahri has positioned itself as an example of how sustainable approaches can be applied in the maritime industry, as well as for common benefit. Currently, Bahri’s sustainability framework consists of four main pillars: Environmental Protection, Responsible Business, People and Safety, and Creating Value. These pillars encompass the key ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) theme that is material to our business, and which aligns with Bahri’s overall corporate strategy and business aims.
Developing and supporting the Bahri team
By the end of 2021, Bahri employed more than 4,500 members and nearly 600 onshore members. In consideration of Bahri’s diverse unique business units, namely Bahri Oil, Bahri Logistics, Bahri Chemicals, Bahri Dry Bulk, Bahri Ship Management, and Bahri Desalination, our organisation is responsible for a wide range of employees with different needs, abilities, and day-to-day roles. Regardless of each employee’s job title or seniority, the company places focused attention on ensuring that every team member is looked after adequately and their potential to develop is maximised.
Underpinning Bahri’s approach to its people is a strong focus on health and safety – keeping our employees safe at work is our top priority. From here, our dedicated People and Culture Committee works tirelessly to create a great working environment that ensures our people feel heard, included, and encouraged to be their best selves.
Our organisation adamantly seeks out the most effective and nurturing human capital frameworks globally and applies these to our own procedures. Domestically, the country’s Vision 2030 initiative serves as a destination for innovation, and Bahri’shuman capital policies are in direct alignment with the nationwide programme.
Saudi Arabia’s ambitious strategic framework, which was put into action by His Royal Excellency Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, empowers Bahri to aim higher, achieve bigger, and commit to helping the dynamic workforce within Saudi Arabia.
In 2021, Bahri invested more in employee training, delivering a total of 20,112 hours, with the average hours per employee increasing by 15% compared with the previous year. The number of trainees doubled in 2021 due to the increased number of candidates from King Abdulaziz University who received hands-on training onboard our vessels. Since 2017, Bahri has increased the number of women within our workforce from three to 113, achieving a 30% female hire rate throughout 2021. Additionally, in 2001, our organisation undertook a comprehensive review of our Training Needs Analysis outcomes and subsequently customised training programmes for each employee, focusing on areas they were interested in to help them progress in their careers. The company added a range of new training topics, such as hardware asset management fundamentals for IT employees and the ISO 22301 Security and Resilience Lead Auditor course for employees dealing with risk management.
Bahri has also developed an Executive Leadership programme – in partnership with the Thunderbird School of Global Management – for upper management employees. The programme is designed to equip Bahri’s executive leaders with the acumen and modern management skills needed to contribute to the company’s prosperity and growth.
Bahri’s commitment to our employees has been recognised through multiple HR awards, the most recent being Excellence in Youth Empowerment at the GCC GOV HR Awards 2021. Our organisation is also in the process of obtaining ISO 30414:2018 Human Resource Management to further demonstrate our credentials in this area. The first audit stage has been completed, and the company is working on identified areas for improvement.
Nurturing talent and prioritising safety
Our health, safety, environmental, and quality (HSEQ) manual ensures high standards of regulation that apply to all our locations and business areas. The HSEQ outlines our detailed approach to environmental health and safety procedures, indicators, and enforcement policies. Bahri is ISO 45001:2018 certified, which requires compliance with a wide range of regulations, including MLC, STCW, the ISM Code, SOLAS, the United Arab Emirates federal regulations covering worker’s occupational health and safety, ISGOTT, and more.
In 2021, the occupational health and safety committee within Bahri launched an OHS awareness programme designed for regular implementation throughout the business, which includes sessions on dealing with emergencies, first aid, firefighting, healthy eating, diabetes management and prevention, yoga, and breast cancer awareness.
Bahri also runs a comprehensive mental health wellbeing programme open to all employees. Our organisation understands how demanding the life of a seafarer can be, with many in the industry working long hours away from their homes and families, making them vulnerable to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
The project included a wide range of measures and onboard sessions that covered vital topics such as fatigue management, emotional resilience, and breaking stigmas regarding mental health. We have set up welfare committees on board ships and have partnered with counseling charity Mindcall to give seafarers a dedicated emotional support helpline available 24/7 throughout the year. Going forward, we are providing International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) training to selected staff members to form a mental health champions’ network.
As part of our contribution to the Saudi Vision 2030, Bahri runs various programmes to nurture local talent and support the growth of operations and the economy at large. Our internal Graduate Development Program (GDP) is extremely popular, and we receive a large number of applications every year. All students are given a fair and equal chance to obtain a place. Each must go through three phases of English assessment, behavioural assessment, and group assessment before progressing to the interview stage. This year, 11 trainees completed the GDP.
In 2021, Bahri launched training courses that include The Summer Training Program (SAIFI), The Co-operative Training Program (COOP), and the Tamheer Program. The COOP and Tamheer initiatives offer Saudi university students and fresh graduates, a hands-on experience via internship programmes at Bahri. We have trained a total of 11 COOP and 6 Tamheer trainees since the respective projects began in 2021.
Building sustainable shipping facilities
Bahri’s promise to develop its employees is parallel to the sustainable procedure employees are requested to uphold. Energy consumption is a central cause of the climate crisis, which is why it has been made a primary point of consideration within our sustainability strategy. In 2021, our organisation introduced a new energy-efficient vessel, ‘Rayah,’ which was built by International Maritime Industries (IMI) and Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI). Installed within the vessel is the ‘SMARTSHIP’ tool, which provides continuous and effective performance monitoring of both the ship and its equipment.
Our vessels are built to the highest standards, to maximise fuel efficiency and environmental performance. New design elements, including Becker Mewis Ducts and Boss Coupling System, have increased operating efficiency by 3% and 4.5%, respectively, on many of Bahri’s ships. Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems help us reduce Nitrogen Oxide (NOx) emissions and lessen our environmental impact.
Energy efficiency is an important aspect to consider, especially in energy-intensive industries like transportation. Since 2014, Bahri has implemented an advanced in-house energy management system that uses real-time high-frequency data streamed from the vessels to actively monitor the performance of hulls and propellers and their onboard energy use.
Our modern VLCCs (very large crude-oil carriers) burn 40% less fuel than their predecessors, reducing emissions and positively impacting the company’s carbon footprint. Additionally, Bahri has implemented an advanced in-house energy management system that uses real-time high-frequency data streamed from vessels to actively monitor hull and propeller performance and onboard energy use.
Creating value in our communities
Bahri’s commitment to sustainable practices reaches beyond our own workforce. Bahri pledges to help support philanthropic causes, ones that create value and help support the societal landscape we operate within. As part of our ongoing commitment to creating a meaningful impact on the global maritime sector, we joined the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) in 2019 to promote collective anti-bribery efforts in our industry. The membership enables Bahri to work with all stakeholders to tackle corrupt practices across the wider supply chain and promote free, fair, and open competition in the sector.
In line with our enhanced CSR efforts, we have partnered with the Computer Rehabilitation Charitable Organization (Ertiqa) in Saudi Arabia to promote the recycling and reusing of used computers in the country. Bahri has been extending its support to the organisation’s campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of computer refurbishment and recycling as an effective means to protect the environment from electronic waste pollution.
Bahri actively promotes Ertiqa’s activities within the company, encouraging employees to support the non-profit organisation by donating and volunteering. In addition, we donate computers and used devices to Ertiqa.
Bahri has adjusted and endured within this changing business landscape, still thoroughly rooted in its operating values and principles. Included within this guiding corporate ethos, the organisation has drawn out a range of sustainability-centred initiatives and continues to put them into effective action. When faced with the layered and complex question of ‘who to help first?’ Bahri consistently strives to be an agile leader that puts people first and helps facilitate development and growth globally.
