MACN Launches Global Platform to Track Port Corruption Risks

The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) has introduced the Global Port Integrity Platform (GPIP), a new data-based tool designed to help shipping companies and crews better understand corruption risks at ports around the world.

The platform transforms information from more than 70,000 reported corruption incidents across over 1,350 ports into operational intelligence that can be used by shipowners and seafarers.

Supported by the Danish Maritime Fund, GPIP brings together a decade of MACN data covering issues such as corruption demands, coercion and delays. This information is presented through dashboards and automated alerts that can be provided before a vessel arrives in port.

More than 75 organizations are currently using the GPIP dashboards, while over 350 shipping companies receive port-specific information about corruption risks through MACN’s low-bandwidth communications system.

The accumulated information represents one of the world’s largest structured datasets dedicated specifically to corruption risks within the maritime industry.

As well as supporting current compliance and operational decisions, the database could provide opportunities to develop new data-driven and AI-enabled methods of managing integrity risks in shipping.

Shipping generates enormous amounts of operational data, but historically there has been very limited structured data available to help companies understand and manage corruption risks at the ports where they operate,” said Cecilia Müller Torbrand, CEO of MACN. “This initiative demonstrates how maritime data can be transformed into practical intelligence that supports better decisions, protects crews, and strengthens integrity across the industry.”

GPIP allows shipping companies to compare different ports, recognize patterns of corruption risk and incorporate the information into voyage planning and compliance processes.

Ship captains can receive targeted briefings ahead of their arrival at a port. These provide information about commonly reported challenges as well as recommended ways of responding to them.

By making information available before ships arrive, the system is intended to help crews and companies prepare for potential problems rather than only responding once an incident occurs.

The project has also resulted in the creation of an application programming interface, or API, connected to MACN’s corruption incident database. This could enable maritime companies and technology providers to develop AI-supported integrity tools using real-world industry data.

The API integration with MACN’s corruption incidents database opens new possibilities for us. We’re exploring how to transform this real maritime data into actionable intelligence that flows directly to our vessels. It demonstrates how data collaboration can drive meaningful innovation in our industry,” added Uriel Chareca, head of group data and AI at Torm.

The combination of structured incident reporting, port comparisons, pre-arrival notifications and API access gives shipping companies new ways to incorporate corruption risk information into their day-to-day operations.