Addressing Integrity Risks and Delivering Tangible Improvements

Egypt

Click To See The Collective Action Timeline Below

Background and Rationale

The Arab Republic of Egypt has established robust anti-corruption frameworks and action plans in conjunction with regional and international anti-corruption conventions, namely the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), the Arab Anti-Corruption Convention, and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC). Furthermore, the establishment of the National Anti-Corruption Academy of the Administrative Control Authority, which through education and training aims at preventing and combating corruption.

For too long, integrity risks have been assessed on ‘perceptions’ rather than evidence-based experiences. A key focus of MACN’s work has been the collection of anonymous incidence reports and Local HelpDesk reports to get a factual understanding of what integrity challenges are being seen in Egyptian port calls and during transits. These reports assist the larger maritime community to improve operations and allow for prosperous cooperation between business and maritime authorities, and in this case, the progress of business in Egypt.

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO), during its Facilitation Committee (FAL 46), 2022 took a systemic approach to address the issue of corruption associated with the ship-shore interface in ports. Contracting Governments are now required to encourage public authorities to assess the risks of corruption and address them by developing and implementing preventive measures to strengthen integrity, transparency, and accountability.

The IMO FAL Committee approved related Guidance “Guidance to Implement and Adopt Procedures Against Maritime Corruption” to implement and adopt procedures against maritime corruption. The guidance encourages the use of administrative or criminal penalties to prevent corruption, regular updates to existing anti-corruption measures or implementation of new measures, and anti-corruption training for relevant personnel who are actively engaged in ship/shore interface operations. It contains a list of some best practices, and procedures against maritime corruption, and also makes recommendations for reporting allegations of corruption to the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN).

In this regard, we highly appreciate the Suez Canal Authority’s recent notice – Re. R.M 141/G dated 1st March 2022, highlighting the Suez Canal Authority’s commitment to the Egyptian National Anti-Corruption Strategy and promoting a culture of integrity. These robust efforts by this SCA administration to mitigate risks of improper behaviour have been positively received in the maritime industry.

MACN’s Local Partner

In 2021, MACN identified Eldib Pandi as its local partner in Egypt to support its Collective Action initiatives. As a local partner to MACN, Eldib Pandi aims at strengthening integrity in ports, terminals, and seaways of Egypt by working together with local and international stakeholders. MACN with Eldib Pandi expanded its anti-corruption ‘HelpDesk’ concept to Egyptian ports and waterways. The local HelpDesk supports MACN member companies with operational advice when vessels and crew are faced with unethical demands and/or unethical or unfair outcomes from inspections during port calls and/or transits in waterways.

Eldib Pandi is an independent provider of marine services, marine survey services, as well as non-marine and marine consultancy, and specialised in providing P& I, and marine-related legal assistance.

Egypt Helpdesk (Active since October 2021)

Members have used the service

807

Port calls registered (14 escalated as incidents)

Updated June 2026

MACN Egypt Outcome Timeline

2026
- (April) MTLS participated in the MACN Spring Members Meeting in Athens, where Egyptian public-sector representatives engaged directly with industry in an Egypt-focused session connecting policy commitments with practical port-call realities.
- (February) MACN visited Suez Canal Authority leadership in Ismailia, reinforcing that “saying no” to improper demands can reduce incidents and delays, and supporting ongoing capacity-building cooperation.
- (February) MACN and Eldib Pandi visited the ports of Alexandria, Damietta, and Port Said East to follow up on Integrity Scorecard improvements, concluding with MACN’s second Industry Integrity Forum in Cairo.
2025
- MACN hosted its first Private Sector Business Integrity Event in Cairo, with support from local partner Eldib Pandi. A panel of MACN member experts discussed the importance of leadership commitment, practical tools for frontline staff, and fostering a culture of integrity across Egypt’s maritime sector.
- MACN and the Maritime Transport and Logistics Sector (MTLS) co-hosted a webinar, with support from Eldib Pandi. The event brought together over 70 MACN members to participate in public-private dialogue and reinforce the shared responsibility for a transparent maritime business environment.
2024
- Rear Admiral Tarek Abdullah Ahmed, Head of the Egyptian Maritime Transport and Logistics Sector (MTLS), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) in Alexandria
- SCA and MACN Launched a 3-Day Training Program for Pilots and Ships’ Masters in Ismailia, Egypt
2023
- MACN and SCA signed protocol to reinforce transparency and integrity commitments through capacity-building programs and coordinated responses to integrity challenges
- MACN and Maritime Transport Sector (MTS) held a meeting at MTS’s premises in Alexandria, discussing their activities and potential scope of collaboration
2022
- MACN welcomed the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) at the Fall Members Meeting
- The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) and MACN signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide a framework for cooperation
2021
- MACN launched Local HelpDesk with Eldib Pandi
- Eldib Pandi was identified as MACN’s local partner to expand MACN’s work and presence in Egypt
2020-2016
- Expansion of Campaign and continued monitoring of progress
2015
- “Say No” Campaign piloted in the Suez Canal
- Toolkit developed and distributed to MACN members
- Engagement with the Suez Canal Authority and other government agencies

Lessons Learned

Overall, the MACN campaign demonstrates that when acting collectively, there is an incentive for both public and private sector players to address integrity risks, resulting in tangible improvements in the operating environment for front–line staff on board and ashore, and local stakeholders. Further, companies of all sizes and nationalities have been successful through the campaign, which demonstrates that it is possible to say no by acting collectively and through committed leadership on integrity.