TRANSPARENT TRADE ROUTES
Strengthening Integrity in Maritime Supply Chains
About the Transparent Trade Routes project
Transparent Trade Routes is a three-year initiative funded by the Siemens Integrity Initiative through its Evolve Funding Round. The project seeks to strengthen integrity in maritime and hinterland transport supply chains in Indonesia, Malaysia and Germany by supporting companies, public institutions and other stakeholders in addressing shared integrity challenges.
Implemented by the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN), the project combines Collective Action, integrity and compliance training, and public-private engagement to strengthen compliance capacity and promote responsible business conduct. Through practical collaboration and knowledge sharing, Transparent Trade Routes supports efforts to create more transparent, predictable and resilient trade environments.
Problem
Maritime trade underpins the global economy, with more than 80 per cent of global trade moving by sea. Ports, shipping corridors and logistics networks play a critical role in facilitating international commerce, supporting economic growth and connecting global supply chains.
At the same time, maritime and hinterland transport systems remain vulnerable to corruption and integrity-related challenges. Port operations often involve multiple public authorities and private actors, time-sensitive processes and complex administrative procedures. Where transparency is limited and procedures are inconsistently applied, businesses may face delays, uncertainty, increased costs and exposure to corruption risks.
These challenges affect companies of all sizes, but small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of many maritime supply chains, are often particularly exposed while having fewer resources to manage compliance challenges and respond effectively.
Approach
Transparent Trade Routes addresses these challenges through Collective Action, a collaborative approach that brings together companies, public authorities, industry associations and other stakeholders to address integrity challenges that cannot be effectively solved by individual organisations acting alone.
By creating platforms for dialogue, collaboration and shared learning, the project supports stakeholders in identifying common challenges and developing practical solutions that strengthen transparency, integrity and responsible business conduct across trade ecosystems.
The project combines Collective Action initiatives with integrity and compliance training, peer learning and structured public-private engagement. Through workshops, training programmes, stakeholder consultations and dialogue platforms, participants strengthen their ability to identify corruption risks, implement effective compliance practices and address integrity challenges in their day-to-day operations.
Particular emphasis is placed on supporting SMEs through practical, accessible tools and knowledge that can be integrated into daily business activities and adapted to local operating environments.
Countries
Transparent Trade Routes is implemented in three countries,
each reflecting distinct integrity risks and opportunities for Collective Action:
Indonesia
Strengthening Collective Action and integrity practices in complex maritime and trade environments.
Malaysia
Supporting companies to apply anti-corruption principles in daily operations and engage with public authorities.
Germany
Addressing integrity and compliance risks faced by SMEs operating in international trade.
Latest News
Building Integrity into the Next Generation of Seafarers
At Cometsea 2026, hosted by SEKOLAH TINGGI ILMU PELAYARAN (STIP) Indonesia, MACN signed an MoU with APPI, the Association of Indonesian Maritime Studies Programs. The partnership will support the expansion and national roll-out of MACN’s Next Generation of Seafarers (NGS) training programme across APPI member institutions. By bringing integrity awareness...
Strengthening Port Integrity in Indonesia
During a busy week in Jakarta, MACN met with the Ombudsman RI to discuss opportunities for collaboration on port oversight and integrity. The meeting highlighted the importance of collective action and open dialogue between public institutions and the private sector. The Ombudsman welcomed the opportunity to work together and expressed...
Navigating Sanctions and Export Controls: MACN, VDR and ZVDS Host Practical Workshop in Hamburg
As sanctions regimes and export controls continue to evolve, maritime companies face growing compliance challenges across global supply chains. Yesterday in Hamburg, MACN hosted a practical workshop on sanctions and export controls with the ZVDS – German Shipbrokers´ Association and the German Shipowners Association (VDR). The discussions focused on the...
Navigating Sanctions and Export Controls
Workshop: Navigating Sanctions and Export Controls - Hamburg, September 2026 Germany is one of Europe's most significant maritime trade hubs, and German companies, particularly SMEs, are increasingly exposed to complex compliance obligations around sanctions and export controls. Understanding these rules, and knowing how to act when facing a potentially non-compliant...
Next Generation of Seafarers Training Continues in Indonesia
Equipping future seafarers to navigate integrity challenges is an important step toward strengthening transparency and professionalism across the maritime sector. Last week, MACN and STIP Jakarta, in collaboration with the Association of Indonesia Maritime Study Programs (APPI), continued the rollout of the Next Generation of Seafarers Integrity Training in Makassar,...
Roll out of ‘Next Generation of Seafarers’ training module.
Last month, MACN and SEKOLAH TINGGI ILMU PELAYARAN (STIP) JAKARTA rolled out the ‘Next Generation of Seafarers’ training module.
Introducing MACN’s New Local Partner in Malaysia!
Malaysia continues to be a key focus in our work to strengthen integrity across the maritime sector, and we are pleased to further expand our presence with the appointment of our new Country Lead.
MACN Joins OECD and KPK Workshop in Jakarta to Advance Business Integrity in Indonesia
MACN joined an OECD and KPK workshop in Jakarta to explore how collective action and public-private collaboration can strengthen business integrity and combat foreign bribery in Indonesia’s maritime sector.
Signed MoU with the Indonesian Port Business Association (ABUPI)
MACN has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indonesian Port Business Association (ABUPI).
MACN and STIP Jakarta Sign New MoU to Equip Next Generation of Seafarers with Integrity Skills
MACN signs a Memorandum of Agreement with STIP Jakarta to embed integrity and anti-corruption training for the next generation of Indonesian seafarers.
Project Implementation
Transparent Trade Routes is implemented by the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN), a global business network working towards the vision of a maritime industry free of corruption that enables fair trade to the benefit of society at large.
The project is delivered through country-specific initiatives in Indonesia, Malaysia and Germany, in collaboration with local partners, industry associations, companies and public institutions. This approach combines local knowledge and stakeholder engagement with MACN's experience in Collective Action, integrity training and public-private dialogue.
By adapting activities to local contexts while promoting learning and collaboration across countries, Transparent Trade Routes seeks to support practical and sustainable improvements in integrity, transparency and responsible business conduct across maritime and hinterland transport supply chains.
Siemens Integrity Initiative
Transparent Trade Routes is funded by the Siemens Integrity Initiative through its Evolve Funding Round. The Initiative is a global funding programme that supports projects promoting Collective Action, business integrity and anticorruption across markets and sectors.
MACN has been a partner of the Siemens Integrity Initiative across multiple funding rounds, building on previous projects that have contributed to strengthening integrity practices in the maritime sector and beyond. This continued support reflects a shared commitment to practical, industry-driven approaches that help companies address corruption risks in their day-to-day operations.
Through the Evolve Funding Round, the Initiative focuses on scaling and deepening the impact of Collective Action efforts. Transparent Trade Routes builds on this approach by working directly with the private sector, industry associations, and public stakeholders to translate integrity commitments into concrete practices across trade routes.