Code of Conduct and Ethics in Business

Universal Shipping Agency S.A., rendering Shipping Agency Services, adopts the following Code of Conduct and Ethics in Business as a strategic decision to undertake its activity.

We seek to reach and to keep the highest standards on all aspects of our activity and thus commit to:

  • Conduct ourselves legally and ethically in business.
  • All employees of Universal Shipping will support and practice the Ethical Principles on which we base our daily Management, since we understand that the sum of behaviours determine our way of proceeding whenever and wherever we carry out our activity.
  • Universal Shipping Agency S.A.has established the Code of Conduct and Ethics in Business as part of its Quality Management System, Environment, Safety and Health at Work (QHSE), in order to maintain this document as a controlled record and communicates it to all the personnel.
  • This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics establishes the general policies and procedures that the employees of Universal Shipping Agency S.A. must follow in order to ensure that their behaviors are managed within the highest standards and in accordance with the applicable legal and other requirements that the organization subscribes, related to its Environmental aspects, Hazards to Safety and Health at Work and Continuous Management Improvement.
  • Any questions regarding a particular situation, whether or not described in the Code of Conduct and Ethics in Business, should be addressed immediately to the Supervisor or the Manager of Universal Shipping Agency S.A.
  • Each employee of Universal Shipping needs to understand and strictly comply with the requirements established in the Code of Conduct and Ethics in Business and stick to our Values and our Vision 2025.
  • Universal Shipping provides training on the Code of Conduct and Business Ethics (Ethical Business Practices) through the programmed in GRH01R1, Annual Training Plan.
  • Any breach of this Code will be sanctioned in accordance with the provisions of GRH02R5, Internal Regulation.
  • One of the values that Universal Shipping shares is integrity, understood as honesty and obedience to law.  It means treating our work mates fairly and respectfully, being accountable and taking responsibility for our actions and consequences.
  • We are proud of  our track record and of our legacy to ourselves and to our community.
  • The success of our venture is the consequence of Teamwork, understanding that only through everyone’s effort the goals set by ourselves will be achieved.
  • Our work environment must be priviledged with honesty, respect and fair treatment.
  • Universal Shipping Agency S.A. is committed to comply with the laws and to uphold the fundamental human rights of all people.
  • All the staff is valued for their demonstrated knowledge, skills, attitudes, accomplishments and commitment.
  • We promote the integral development of our staff through examples and permanent training.
  • The company is self commited to ensure a safe and healthy work environment.
  • Employees are also responsable for taking the necessary precautions to protect themselves and their co-workers, including the immediate reporting of accidents, injuries and unsafe practices or conditions.
  • Appropriate and timely measures will be taken to correct unsafe working conditions.
  • The health and safety of all the staff and the quality of service demanded by our customers requires each employee to work free from the effects of any substance that could prevent them from carrying our their work safely and effectively.
  • The consumption, possession, purchase or sale of alcohol within the company premises is prohibited unless events approved in advance by the Management at conferences and established meetings.
  • The company also prohibits the use of alcohol by employees during working hours.  If caught violating this rule, the employee will be subject to disciplinary sanctions, including dismissal for cause.
  • One of the most valuable assets of the company is the information.
  • Confidential information comprises, among others:  economic, financial, sales and earning figures, our services and marketing plans, research ideas and information about potential acquisitions or investments, data of the personnel as well as the salaries, bonuses and benefits that they receive.
  • Avoid talking about confidential information in public areas, for example on airplanes, elevators or mobile phones.
  • All our actions must be based on commercial sound judgement and must never be motivated by personal interests or financial gain.
  • Any situation that creates a conflict between personal interests and the interests of the company, should be avoided.
  • The staff cannot work or be paid for services from any commercial entity doing or trying to do business or competing with the company, if such work or payment may influence any decision that may be made in the fulfillment of their normal obligations.
  • Confidential information cannot be used for personal gain.
  • We depend on strong relationships with our customers, suppliers and other business associates who help us provide services with the quality and value damanded by clients.
  • At the company we want to do business with those suppliers, contractors, partners, agents, representatives and consultants who adopt and demonstrate high standards of ethical business conduct.

TRAINING

  • Annual training in the Code of Conduct and Ethics in Business, together with the dissemination of the Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policies will be included in the GRH01R1 Annual Training Plan of Universal Shipping, as part of the QHSE ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 Quality, Environment and Occupational Health and Safety Management System.
  • In the same way, the validity and updating of their contents will be reviewed annually through the Review by the Management in accordance with RDQ03.

Our Values

Our Mission

To add value to the operatives of our clients by means of an honest and dedicated support, based on a vast knowledge of the market.

Our values

Guide the actions and behaviour of Universal Shipping Agency which are:

  • Leadership:  Strive to be the best option.
  • Team work:   Enhance working together.
  • Integrity: We are transparent and responsible for our actions.
  • Passion: We are heart and mind committed.
  • Quality:  We seek excellence.

Our vision:

To become the preferred local partner of all companies requiring ship and port services in Uruguay.

Our vision 2025:

  • We focus in our customers requirements
  • We are present: We listen, observe and learn
  • We are open to changes
  • We are brave enough to switch our path when necessary
  • We always try to improve
  • We work efficiently
  • We behave as the company’s owner
  • We are responsible for our actions or for our lack of action.
  • We follow the meritocracy, i.e., we practice differentiation through results.
  • We learn from previous results, from what has worked and what has not.
  • We combine passion and look for the excellence in whatever we do.
  • We work together.
  • We develop teamwork.
  • We are Universal Shipping Agency

Quality, Environment, Safety and Occupational Health Policy

Universal Shipping Agency S.A., rendering Ship Agency services, has adopted an Integrated Quality Management System ISO 9001:2015, Environment ISO 14001:2015 and Safety & Health at Work ISO 45001:2018 as a strategic company decision.

We aim at reaching and keeping the highest standards in all aspects of our activities and thus commit to:

  • Satisfy our clients’ requirements, offering them services that fulfill their expectations, compromising with the continuous improvement and compliance of the applicable legal requirements and regulations.
  • Comply with the applicable legal requirements and others that the organization suscribes as to environment, hazards to safety & occupational health and continuous improvement of quality management.
  • Guarantee the safety and reliability of the services provided.
  • Keep committed to prevention of pollution & damages and deterioration of health & safety, always improving our quality management, setting and checking environmental and security & health goals and objectives, registering and developing its adequate communication to all the staff working for the organization or on its behalf and placing it at the public disposal.
  • Have a clear awareness of our environmental responsibility and develop sustainable growth in harmony and collaboration with our environment and our community.
  • Collaborate in reducing our carbon footprint.
  • This policy is periodically registered, implemented, maintained and revised in order to ensure it continues being pertinent and appropriate to the organization.
  • Not to use child labor in its own and external processes.
  • Exclude coercion and harrasment in the relationship between its workers.
  • Not to discriminate due to race, religion, age, nationality, social or ethnical origin, sexual preference, gender, politics or disability in its different forms.
  • Not to use forced or involuntary workmanship, slavery or any other way of forced labor.
  • The company duly considers the interested parties and keeps communications with all of them, when deemed necessary.  Likewise, the company establishes a consultation and participation commitment from workers and from the workers representatives, if any.

Our History

UNIVERSAL SHIPPING AGENCY S.A, established in Montevideo, was founded in 1974 by Mateo M. Elefteriu. Later in 1987 Capt. Miguel Elefteriu joined the family company as Director.

UNIVERSAL SHIPPING is the continuation of four generations permanently linked to the shipping industry in the River Plate (Argentina and Uruguay) since 1912.

Today we may proudly say that UNIVERSAL SHIPPING is known as one of the Top Port and Husbanding Agencies in Uruguay.

The Elefteriu family name is fully identified with the shipping activity in Uruguay, celebrating this year its 106th Anniversary of continued work devoted to its valued customers.

Our grandfather Mateo S. Elefteriu landed in Uruguay in 1912 as a Greek immigrant, disembarking at the Port of Montevideo, like many others, looking for a land of opportunities. Among many sacrificed tasks assigned to the hard-working immigrants, he dedicated to the port and shipping activity and thereafter to the management and operation of cabotage vessels between Uruguay and Brazil.

He was afterwards followed by our father Miguel Elefteriu, who in turn was continued by his sons Mateo M. Elefteriu and Capt. Miguel Elefteriu as third generation. Presently Capt. Miguel Elefteriu continues as Director & Advisor jointly with the fourth generation in the person of María Gabriela Elefteriu as Executive Director.

After 100 years our whole family has nothing but thankful words to our ancestors and to all who have trusted us, with whom we have gained friendship and mutual recognition.

Last but not least, our huge gratitude to all our staff, whom we consider part of our family and who have contributed to the company´s growth with their efforts and synergy.

Now more than ever we feel very committed to maintain the high reputation of our predecessors with professionalism, creativity and new concepts, so as to keep the company at the highest standards required by today’s changeable and demanding world.

We proudly invite you to join our celebration!

The Board of Directors.