Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited (TEN Ltd) is a Bermuda incorporated, Greece Headquartered company which owns “a versatile fleet of modern crude and product tankers with strong ice-class capabilities, shuttle tankers and liquefied natural gas vessels.”
TEN has shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange and is thus subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
The company recently disclosed
“The vessels of our subsidiaries load and discharge cargoes in several countries throughout the world. In addition, we deal with many charterers and shipbrokers that are based in various countries. Certain of the countries in which these charterers and brokers operate may, in the past, have had a reputation for corruption. Brazilian authorities have charged certain shipbrokers with various offenses in connection with charters entered into between a major state oil entity and various international ship owners.
We are subject to the risk that the alleged actions taken by these brokers are determined to constitute a violation of anti-corruption laws applicable to the Company, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 (the “FCPA”). In 2020, in parallel with U.S. Department of Justice and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigations regarding whether the circumstances surrounding these charters, including the actions taken by these shipbrokers, constituted non-compliance with provisions of the FCPA applicable to the Company, we began investigating these matters. We are always committed to doing business in accordance with anti-corruption laws and are cooperating with these agencies.
Any violation of the FCPA or other anti-bribery legislation in other jurisdictions could result in substantial fines, sanctions, civil and/or criminal penalties, or curtailment of operations in certain jurisdictions, and might adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, actual or alleged violations could damage our reputation and ability to do business. Furthermore, detecting, investigating, and resolving actual or alleged violations is expensive and can consume significant time and attention of our senior management.”
