The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network expands its membership to classification societies, strengthening collective action and integrity across the maritime value chain.

At its General Assembly on 30 April 2026, members of the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network voted in favor of opening MACN membership to classification societies. Following this decision, MACN is pleased to welcome ABS, DNV, and RINA as the first classification societies to join the network.

Strengthening integrity across the maritime value chain

The maritime industry is facing growing complexity driven by geopolitical developments, changing trade patterns, and evolving vessel ownership and operating structures. These trends underline the importance of maintaining integrity across the maritime value chain and ensuring all relevant actors contribute to practical, coordinated solutions.

Classification societies play an essential role throughout a vessel’s lifecycle, including design, construction, maintenance, surveys, and certification. Their work directly supports safety, compliance, and trust in international shipping, while also placing them close to technical, commercial, and regulatory decisions where integrity risks can arise, particularly in complex or high-risk operating environments.

By opening membership to classification societies, MACN further strengthens representation across different parts of the maritime ecosystem. Their technical expertise, global reach, and influence can help improve information sharing, strengthen collective responses to corruption risks, and support greater consistency in standards and practices across the industry. The expanded membership also reflects the increasingly interconnected nature of global shipping and the need for collaboration across the maritime value chain.

“Classification societies play an essential role in safeguarding standards, safety, and trust across global shipping. Welcoming them into MACN brings vital technical expertise and a wider perspective to our network. Our Collective Action initiatives will be stronger when classification societies stand alongside shipowners, operators, and other maritime stakeholders in addressing corruption risks and advancing integrity across the industry.”

– Cecilia Müller Torbrand, CEO, MACN

ABS, DNV, and RINA become MACN’s first classification society members

The admission of ABS, DNV and RINA marks an important milestone in MACN’s development and puts the General Assembly decision into practice. As three of the world’s leading classification societies, these organisations bring extensive technical expertise, global reach, and deep engagement across the maritime industry.

Their participation broadens the perspectives represented within MACN and strengthens opportunities for collaboration across different parts of the maritime value chain. Through their membership, DNV, ABS and RINA will contribute valuable insights to collective efforts aimed at strengthening integrity, transparency, and fair business practices across maritime trade.

ABS

ABS joins MACN as one of the network’s first classification society members, bringing deep expertise in classification, safety, compliance, and technical advisory services across the global maritime and offshore sectors.

Through participation in MACN, ABS will contribute to collective efforts aimed at strengthening integrity and responsible business practices across maritime trade. Membership will also create opportunities to collaborate with a broad range of industry stakeholders on practical approaches to addressing corruption risks and supporting fair and efficient global trade.

“Trust is fundamental to the efficient functioning of global shipping. At ABS, we see integrity as an important part of maintaining confidence in the systems, standards, and relationships that support international trade. Joining MACN provides an opportunity to engage with industry partners, share expertise, and contribute to efforts that strengthen transparency and responsible business practices across the maritime sector.”

– John McDonald, ABS Chairman and CEO, ABS

DNV

As one of MACN’s first classification society members, DNV brings extensive experience supporting safe, efficient, and sustainable shipping worldwide. Membership provides a platform to collaborate with peers across the maritime value chain, share practical experiences, contribute to collective action initiatives, and help develop industry solutions to corruption challenges.

“Integrity, trust, and transparency are fundamental to a safe and well-functioning maritime industry. By joining MACN, DNV is reinforcing its commitment to working with industry partners to address corruption risks and strengthen responsible business practices across the maritime value chain. We look forward to contributing our experience while learning from other members and supporting practical solutions that benefit the industry as a whole.”

–  Sigrid Wettwer, Group Compliance Director, DNV

RINA

RINA joins MACN as one of the network’s first classification society members, bringing extensive experience in classification, certification, testing, and technical assurance activities across the global maritime sector.

Through participation in MACN, RINA will collaborate with shipowners, operators, cargo interests, ports, and other stakeholders to support collective efforts aimed at strengthening integrity, transparency, and responsible business practices throughout the maritime value chain. Membership also provides an opportunity to contribute technical expertise and practical perspectives to industry initiatives addressing corruption risks and promoting fair and efficient global trade.

“The maritime industry is undergoing significant transformation, creating new opportunities as well as new challenges. Addressing corruption risks and strengthening integrity must be part of that journey. Through membership in MACN, RINA looks forward to collaborating with industry stakeholders, sharing experience, and supporting initiatives that help build a more transparent, resilient, and sustainable maritime sector.”

– Pino Spadafora, Market Development VP, RINA

A shared commitment to fair and transparent shipping

Opening MACN membership to classification societies supports MACN’s mission to enable fair trade for the benefit of society at large. By engaging organizations that help shape technical standards and oversight in shipping, MACN can further strengthen trust, transparency, and good governance across the industry.

MACN welcomes DNV, ABS and RINA to the network and looks forward to working together to strengthen integrity across the maritime industry.

“For 15 years, MACN has shown that industry collaboration can deliver practical results in some of the world’s most challenging operating environments. The addition of DNV, ABS and RINA strengthens the expertise represented within our network and reflects a shared recognition that integrity is a business issue that requires action across the maritime value chain. As MACN continues to grow, bringing together diverse parts of the industry will be essential to building more transparent, resilient, and efficient global trade.”

– Øistein Jensen, Chair of the MACN Board