BARCELONA: January 04, 2017. As part of its commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR), Global supply chain manager Geodis, part of French Railways, is supporting a 'Cruising for Children' initiative that helps those at risk of social exclusion qualify for future employment.
Recently the company's Spanish freight forwarding business invited a group of 30 young people to tour the Royal Caribbean (RCL) Celebrity Silhouette during its Barcelona port call.
The group was enrolled in a program called PTT Viladecans, a Spanish educational and professional alternative for youth aged 16 to 21 who haven't graduated high school. PTT facilitates the development of personal and professional skills enabling them to continue their studies or find employment.
The aim of the Geodis visit to the Silhouette, weighing over 122,000 tons and employing 1,500 crewmembers, was to encourage the youth to complete their education.
Geodis has seven 'Golden Rules' that guide its business: "Make it easy for the client to do business with us; win, retain and develop profitable clients; always deliver a perfect service; get paid for what we do; recruit, develop and retain quality people; ensure the safety of our people everywhere and at any time; and be a good citizen."
The company says its CSR approach is embodied in the last Rule with a twofold focus on environmental and societal issues.
According to Geodis vice president Business Excellence and CSR Régis Lesieux, the Rule is part of a wider process of continuing improvement: "We are firmly convinced that our CSR approach creates value, both for ourselves and for our stakeholders."
It's a view echoed by RCL that has just completed a 10-year 'Save the Waves' goal that has seen GHG emissions drop by nearly 25 percent.
"At Royal Caribbean, we are working to put sustainability into the heart of our business," said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO. "We bring five million guests to nearly 500 ports around the world every year, and we understand our responsibility to do so in a way that protects the oceans that we sail every day. Our mantra is continuous improvement, and that especially applies to our environmental performance."
RCL, owner of Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises, made the 2016 World's Most Ethical Companies list – joining 129 others that included UPS and BDP International.
