Corporations are speaking out over the killing of George Floyd while in police custody in Minneapolis, and the wave of executive statements has spread to shipping.
Three US-based shipowners — bulker owners Genco Shipping & Trading and Eagle Bulk Shipping, and Dorian LPG — have used their LinkedIn pages to speak out against racism in the past few days.
Floyd, an African American, was killed while in the custody of four Minneapolis police officers. One officer has been charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter and three others charged with aiding and abetting murder and manslaughter.
Global protests
The death has sparked global protests against perceived institutional racism on the part of police and law enforcement. While most rallies have been peaceful, a spate of violence, looting and arson has broken out in several major US cities.
Genco is based in New York, where some of the worst rioting has taken place. The company has citizens from about 10 countries among its 40 shoreside employees.
Chief executive John Wobensmith told TradeWinds it was an easy call to speak out in the aftermath of the incident.
“I was angered and saddened by the events,” he said.
“It definitely goes against my personal principles and Genco’s culture of diversity, whether that be race, gender or age. I thought it was pretty important to put out a statement and draw a line in the sand.”
Genco’s LinkedIn post references the killings of Floyd and also Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, who were also African Americans fatally shot either by police or civilians in recent months.
“We unequivocally condemn systemic biases and racism that continue to exact an unconscionable toll and diminish us all,” the statement reads.
It is time that we all come together to support justice and change.
Genco chief executive John Wobensmith
“Genco stands with our colleagues and friends of all races, cultural backgrounds, and nationalities, and it is our firm belief that there is no room for racism in this world. Genco values diversity and inclusion as sources of strength for ourselves, for our company and for our society as a whole. It is time that we all come together to support justice and change.”
Connecticut-based Eagle Bulk Shipping also addressed the issue through its LinkedIn account. Chief executive Gary Vogel told TradeWinds: “We felt the need to speak out to contribute to the voice of the people who stand together peacefully for much needed change, and to ensure that our collective voices are heard above those who would support the status quo.
“Simply put, we believe that speaking out is the right thing to do.”
In its official statement, Eagle Bulk added: “While we at Eagle are proud of our inclusive culture and diverse workforce, we recognise that society must do more to end racism in all of its forms, and to promote equality and social justice.”
Dorian chief executive John Hadjipateras posted a message on Dorian's LinkedIn page with thoughts of his employees in mind. He included some links to positive stories emerging out of the crisis in a bid to elevate the mood.
I wanted to show my indignation and empathy and concern, but also to show that we should be hopeful
Dorian chief executive John Hadjipateras
"I wanted to show my indignation and empathy and concern, but also to show that we should be hopeful," Hadjipateras told TradeWinds.
"The kind of feedback that I got from our own people was quite positive. One person told me that he was beginning to feel bad about being an American, but that he would now show this message to his children."
Hadjipateras' posting read in part: “I share the shame we feel as a society after witnessing the appalling killing of George Floyd. It is heartening that there is a universal and immediate condemnation and call for change at last.”
