The various Stena companies meet fundamental needs in society both onshore and offshore, such as transport, logistics, homes and premises, green electricity generation and sustainable technical development, as well as commodities such as kitchens, bathrooms and garden products.

In the shipping sector, Stena is actively committed to influencing international policy work and legislation in a sustainable direction that supports the transition to fossil-free fuels, while maintaining fair competition and market dynamics.

During the pandemic, Stena Line played an important role and facilitated the transport of essential goods for society, such as pharmaceuticals and equipment for healthcare and medical care. Stena Bulk considers its role in society from a broader perspective, as an important player in supplying the world with sustainable energy, both today and in the future. The company is focusing on local sustainable development, for example in Angola, and with a sustainable energy project in Indonesia.

Through its activities, Stena contributes to stability and development in the local communities in which it operates worldwide by offering jobs and acting as a responsible member of society. One example is Stena Adactum’s portfolio companies, which offer employment opportunities in small towns where the company is an important employer, and which contribute actively to the local community.

For Stena Property, social sustainability activities concern working proactively to increase social stability in residential areas. Challenges in the form of social instability, exclusion and the economic vulnerability of residents have a major impact. For more than 20 years, the company has developed its successful relationship management, in close collaboration with residents, associations and public actors, to create areas where people can live secure and rewarding lives.

In 2021, two of Stena Property’s areas, Tynnered in Göteborg and Karlslund in Landskrona, were no longer classified as particularly vulnerable areas by the police. This is a strong confirmation that the long-term work that is conducted is yielding good results.

Stena supports and respects the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This includes zero tolerance of any form of forced labour and child labour, or use of illegal manpower for the production of goods or services, within Stena or in the activities of suppliers or business partners. One risk is that employees in the supply chain do not have fair working conditions and that issues concerning human rights and working conditions are not fully addressed.

Stena seeks to reduce these risks by ensuring better control of every link of its value chains. Stena’s business units work actively with their suppliers through dialogue and continuous follow-up to ensure quality and sustainability. Governance is based on Stena’s Code of Conduct and values.

In Stena’s shipping operations, child labour and forced labour in the supply chain are identified as potential risks in the operations at the yards engaged for newbuildings or repairs.

Stena RoRo monitors suppliers and shipyards on site through the site team’s continuous presence and operational control procedures. In instances where new suppliers or shipyards are being considered, more in-depth audits are conducted. One such audit was conducted in 2021. However, work on third-party supplier and shipyard audits was impeded by the pandemic and the prevailing restrictions in different countries.

For Stena Line, there are also risks associated with refugee smuggling and human trafficking, as well as the smuggling of stolen goods, weapons and drugs on board vessels. Stena Line works continuously together with authorities in Sweden and in other countries to strengthen its procedures and train the affected personnel, in order to avoid such incidents. During the year, Stena Line updated a Code of Conduct which was sent to the 270 largest suppliers. This is an ongoing project for the procurement function. In January 2022, more than 200 suppliers had signed the code, ­corresponding to 68 per cent of the annual procurement volume in 2021.

Stena Property has its own Code of Conduct for business partners, suppliers and contractors. This is applied to all contracts and purchases. During the year, the work linked to this intensified. Stena Property also held training sessions with its suppliers during the year.

Stena has a good reputation as a company that with honesty and integrity always promotes good business practice.

Stena advocates open markets and fair competition and does not engage in discussions or agreements with competitors on price-fixing, market-sharing or any other activities that violate the rules of fair competition. Further training initiatives are planned for the personnel concerned, who are active in sectors with few players, in order to strengthen knowledge and awareness of this issue.

Tax is also an important sustainability topic and Stena contributes to society by paying tax in the markets where the companies operate, in line with local regulations and international guidelines.

Within all operations there is a potential risk of bribes and inappropriate gifts being offered. Stena works actively to handle these issues in its business relations. Stena’s Code of Conduct, internal training and internal audits aim to minimise risks. During the year no cases evaluated as corruption have been reported through the central whistle­blower function.

Within Stena’s shipping activities, there are risks related to “facilitation payments” to third parties to secure a contract or service. Such payments might e.g. be required for a vessel to pass a strait or berth in a port. Stena Bulk is an active member of the Maritime Anti-Corruption (MACN) network, which is a sector organisation to eliminate corruption in the shipping industry.

During the year, Stena chose to support several different organisations that contribute to a better society in various ways. As a rule, the support is always directly or indirectly linked to Stena’s activities. The aim is to always seek to make a difference and create a better world through donations to non-profit organisations, institutions and individual good initiatives, to strengthen competence within schools, environmental initiatives, innovation, research, culture, sports associations and children’s rights.