The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network  the German Shipbrokers’ Association Zentralverband Deutscher Schiffsmakler  and the German Shipowners’ Association , have launched a partnership to support German maritime  enterprises in strengthening business integrity and compliance. Supported by the Siemens Integrity Initiative, the collaboration will provide ongoing, practical support to companies navigating sanctions, export controls, and anti-bribery and corruption risks.

German maritime enterprises and especially SMEs play a critical role in global trade, while facing growing expectations from customers, financial institutions, and regulators to demonstrate credible integrity and compliance systems. For many companies, particularly smaller operators, access to affordable, maritime-specific guidance remains limited. Through this new initiative, MACN, ZVDS and VDR aim to create a sustained framework that helps companies respond to these expectations in a proportionate and operationally realistic way.

The collaboration brings together training activities, practical tools, and opportunities for continued engagement. It is designed to support companies over time, helping them build, maintain, and improve integrity practices that enable transparent trade routes and trusted business relationships.

As part of the initiative, MACN, ZVDS and VDR will deliver a series of free, practice-oriented training sessions for ZVDS and VDR member companies. Two in-person sessions are planned for 21st and 22nd September 2026 and will focus on sanctions and export controls. Registration is now open on a save-the-date basis, and further details, including, locations and practical arrangements, will be shared in due course.

Follow-up sessions will address anti-bribery and corruption risks and related topics, supported by practical templates and checklists that companies can directly adapt to their day-to-day operations.

To register your interest and save the date, please use the following link:  Link  Participation is free of charge, but places may be limited.

“Maritime SMEs are under increasing pressure to demonstrate that they have credible controls in place, even though their resources are often limited,” said Cecilia Müller Torbrand, CEO of MACN. “This partnership allows us to establish a long-term German platform that provides realistic, operations-focused support and helps companies manage integrity risks while keeping trade moving.”

Dr. Alexander Geisler, CEO of ZVDS, added: “Our members operate in a complex international environment with rising regulatory and customer expectations. Working with MACN and with the support of the Siemens Integrity Initiative enables us to offer sustained, maritime-specific support that reflects the realities of SME operations and avoids over-burdening companies.”

Martin Kröger, CEO of VDR: “German shipping is committed to integrity, rules-based trade and responsible business conduct. These values are essential for a fair and resilient global trading system. As the voice of the German shipping industry, the VDR is pleased to support this initiative and its training sessions, which contribute to the ongoing exchange of knowledge and best practices across the sector.”

By participating in the initiative, companies can strengthen confidence with customers, banks, and regulators, reduce legal, financial, and reputational risks, and implement proportionate integrity measures without high cost or complexity.