Social

At PIL, we’re dedicated to make a positive impact on our employees, communities, and society.

We foster inclusive work environments, ensure fair labour practices, and actively engage in community initiatives. By investing in the regions we operate, we boost our business resilience and drive societal progress. Our commitment to social responsibility is at the heart of who we are, pushing us to continually set new standards in corporate citizenship.

LABOUR AND HUMAN RIGHTS

We believe that sustainable business practices are essential for shaping our collective future. As a leading player in the industry, we recognise that sustainability serves as our guiding compass for responsible business conduct. By prioritising labour and human rights, we strive to establish PIL as a responsible and resilient company.

In alignment with the United Nations Global Compact’s ten principles, our commitment extends to integrating sustainability principles across our business activities and contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Fair Wages

PIL ensures that all employees receive fair wages that allow them to maintain a decent standard of living.

No Forced Labour

We unequivocally reject forced or compulsory labour, ensuring that our workforce operates in an environment free from coercion.

Freedom of Association

PIL is supportive of a culture of open dialogue and collaboration, to empower individuals and contribute to a more open and communicative workplace environment.

Supply Chain Responsibility

We actively engage with our suppliers to promote ethical labour practices. Our commitment extends beyond our immediate operations to include smallholders, indigenous communities, and local partners.

Grievance Mechanisms

PIL maintains transparent grievance mechanisms, allowing employees and stakeholders to raise concerns without fear of reprisal.

HUMAN CAPITAL

We aspire to be an employer of choice and recognise that that our people are our greatest asset. Our approach to human capital as a cornerstone of our sustainability management is rooted in the belief that the well-being of our employees is inextricably linked to the health of our business and the environment.

We bring this to life by having a well-structured people strategy that facilitates a positive workplace environment where our employees feel valued and engaged.

We also value diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive work environment, where our people are treated equitably, impartially and provided equal opportunities to grow and develop in their careers.

We also prioritise creating a safe and conducive working environment, recognising that our operations’ sustainability is dependent on the resilience and adaptability of our teams. Engagement with our employees is fundamental; we maintain open lines of communication and actively seek their feedback to improve our practices and processes.

Officiating the launch of the PIL Academy was (from left to right) Dr Victor Goh, Dean of the PIL Academy; Mr S.S. Teo, PIL’s Executive Chairman; Mr Chee Hong Tat, Singapore’s Minister for Transport and 2nd Minister for Finance; and Mr Lars Kastrup CEO of PIL. (Photo Credit: Singapore Ministry of Transport)

In 2024, we launched PIL Academy as part of our people-centric and future-focused commitment to invest in the training and development of our employees. PIL is focussed on the upskilling, career development and international mobility of our employees, as well as supporting sea-to-shore career progression.

Through PIL Academy, we aim to enhance our employees’ capabilities and future proof their careers, while ensuring PIL’s business sustainability and resilience, as PIL transforms into a stronger, more efficient, innovative, sustainable, and future ready organisation.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY

We are committed to ensuring safe, healthy and secure working conditions for all stakeholders, including employees, seafarers and partners.

Through safety protocols and enhanced training programmes, we inculcate in our employees the right values, attitude, and behaviour towards safety management. We adopt policies, procedures and processes that lead to early detection, prevention and mitigation of risks associated with the business to enable safe and secure operations.

PIL achieved BizSAFE 4 from the Singapore Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) Council in 2022. Risk assessments are conducted for every work activity and process in the workplace, in alignment with industry best practices.

We are committed to maintaining an excellent safety record and the PIL group achieved zero fatalities and a Lost Time Injury Frequency of 0.39 in 2023.

Security

PIL strives to ensure secure operations at every location of its operation, on board and ashore.  

We assess all identified security risks and establish appropriate safeguards in compliance with relevant regulations, and with reference to the best industry practices. We adhere strictly to local and international rules and regulations and conform to compliance obligations.

All PIL fleet vessels are certified under International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code), a set of measures to enhance the security of ships and port facilities.

Safety Initiatives

With the safety and security of its people as a top priority, PIL partnered with Singapore Polytechnic’s Centre of Excellence in Maritime Safety (CEMS) to collaborate on a “Training with Technology” project.

The project leverages the latest technologies to enhance the competency of seafarers in safe navigation through technical and soft skills training. It uses immersive, simulation and remote technology to deliver safety-related and ship navigation training in demanding traffic and sea states. By imparting our future seafarers with soft skills like situational awareness and decision-making skills, the risk of incidents would be greatly reduced. The data and knowledge collected from this project will be utilised for research and collaboration between the two partners towards the objective of strengthening the standards of maritime safety.

A hallmark of PIL’s seafarers is their readiness to go out of their way to help when called upon to conduct search and rescue operations. This is part of PIL’s DNA as a responsible shipping line to play its role to contribute to maritime safety and security.

Over the years, PIL has received awards from International Safety at Sea for the fleet’s efforts in maritime search and rescue. These include Outstanding Contribution to Search and Rescue Efforts for a rescue operation of three Indonesian fishermen at the Malacca Straits in 2022 as well as the rescue of the entire crew of a cargo vessel that had stopped at sea due to water ingress and flooding of the engine room in the Gulf of Guinea, West Africa.

COMMUNITY IMPACT

PIL’s approach towards community impact is deeply rooted in our commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of people and communities around the communities that we operate in.

We focus on providing support to their employees, partners, and the broader community through various engagement activities and financial assistance. As an extension of this approach, we have included amongst our priorities, conserving and improving the natural environment, with a particular focus on marine, by seeking and contributing to projects that protect and improve the marine ecosystem.

Supporting National Day Parades

PIL has been a dedicated supporter of Singapore’s National Day Parade since 2015, contributing by providing containers for goods delivery and storage of parade materials, thereby playing a role in fostering national identity.

Aid for Typhoon Rai

In response to Typhoon Rai’s devastation in 2021/2022, PIL extended financial aid to Filipino seafarers affected by the disaster, helping them recover and rebuild their lives.

COVID-19 Efforts

During the COVID-19 pandemic, PIL’s overseas offices and agencies contributed significantly by donating cash and personal protective equipment. In China, healthcare workers were recognized with donations and gifts. In Indonesia, mass vaccination exercises were supported, and in East Africa, a substantial cash donation was made to assist Djibouti’s citizens. Myanmar saw donations of medical equipment and financial aid to hospitals. In the Middle East, PIL Jordan supported national efforts through the Hemmat Watan Fund and assisted students affected by the pandemic. Mumbai’s contributions included donations to the PM Cares Fund and support for COVID-19 vaccination drives..

Supporting youth education

Since 2005, PIL HK has sponsored free shipment slots from Hong Kong to African ports, benefiting street children’s education in Cameroon, computer access for Zambian schools, and an agricultural program in Ebola-affected Sierra Leone. PIL has also been supporting schools in Kenya by providing free shipment of used school furniture from schools in Singapore. In 2023, PIL Singapore aided in distributing >2,000 pieces of furniture to several public primary and secondary schools in the Tana Delta.

Donations were also channelled to the provision of school supplies such as IT equipment, refurbishment of schools and general support of education across Colombo, South Africa, Jordan and Thailand.

Supporting communities in need

Placing an active focus on supporting underprivileged communities in the areas we operate in, PIL has contributed to the building of houses in the Philippines and the provision of containers that were repurposed into communal areas in Singapore. In Mumbai, donations were made to non-profit organizations for financial and food assistance, as well as to one of the world’s largest cancer centres.