Supporting our seafarers in tackling corruption

As part of the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network, Uni-Tankers stands shoulder to shoulder with over 50% of the global fleet

At Uni-Tankers, a safe and supportive working environment is a fundamental principle — both on land and at sea. That is why Uni-Tankers is a member of the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) – to help protect our seafarers. MACN’s overall approach is to help prepare seafarers, so they can better handle corrupt behavior on the frontline, while also lobbying at a more strategic level to convince government officials and similar high-level authorities to stamp out corruption from the top down. The organization has over 190 members, which meet twice a year to discuss strategies to tackle maritime corruption globally, as well as share and co-develop best practices.

Strengthening policies to protect seafarers

Unfortunately, in many ports worldwide, problems like facilitation payments, bribery, and corruptions remain all too common. MACN has local help desks in Nigeria, Egypt, Ukraine, and Argentina to provide seafarers with on-the-ground support in key regions if they face corrupt behavior from port authorities or other officials.

Additionally, Uni-Tankers has updated its policies and procedures regarding anticorruption, sanctions, and competition law based on learnings from MACN, as well as an internal risk analysis conducted last year.

Suez success a sign of MACN’s impact

At Uni-Tankers, we have respect for the challenge that lies ahead of us and our fellow MACN members before the shipping industry can be rid of corrupt practices. But we are also encouraged by the advances MACN has already achieved in its 12- year history. For example, we have seen a marked change around the Suez Canal in recent years thanks to increasing anti-corruption commitment from the top.

In March 2022, the Suez Canal Authority publicly announced that all shipping companies traveling along the canal should refuse any demands for facilitation payments, and that any corrupt behavior should be reported directly to them. They also adopted digital payment technology to limit opportunities for bribery. These changes followed the release of a MACN report documenting 10 years of corrupt demands in maritime trade, which saw the Suez Canal end with the worst record of any global shipping location.

Want to learn more? Please read our 2022/23 ESG Report.