Business ethics

Our compliance and anti-corruption measures play a vital role as we work to protect the value we create for our customers, our investors and society.

Annual Report 2024

Why business ethics matters

Corruption, sanctions and export controls, competition law violations, and data privacy and ethics are Maersk’s key business ethics risks. These can distort opportunities for social and economic development and destabilise the business environment. They also add to the cost of doing business while affecting external confidence and company morale.

Failing to live up to our business ethics commitment could subject Maersk to legal or reputational risks and negatively impact company culture and societies where we operate.

Our ambition

We aim to contribute to eliminating corruption in the industries in which we are active. Maersk’s policies, approach and governance of business ethics focus on high standards for responsible business practices everywhere we operate, aligned with international requirements and with a heightened focus in jurisdictions with greater exposure to these risks and potential human rights abuses.
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Business ethics

Our target

100%
Employees (in scope) trained in the Maersk Code of Conduct

Highlights in 2024

Community Pictogram
94% of in-scope employees trained on the Maersk Code of Conduct
Challenges in reaching all employees remain but we maintain the rigor of a 100% target for 2025.
Manages risk and unpredictability
‘Minerva’ cargo screening platform
Minerva automates sanction compliance, and is capable of continuously scanning and screening ca. 200,000 shipping documents and around 5 million parties (customers, vendors and banks) in real-time.
Customs box pictogram
87 compliance spot checks
on selected entities and processes, covering critical risks within the areas of anti-corruption, sanctions compliance, competition law and data privacy.

Priorities and actions

We manage our business ethics risks through our compliance programme and collective actions to fight corruption and ultimately eliminate facilitation payments. These efforts help ensure supply chains that support global trade in responsible, sustainable ways.

Our policies, approach and governance of business ethics focus on high standards for responsible business practices everywhere we operate, aligned with international requirements and with a heightened focus in jurisdictions with greater exposure to these risks and human rights abuses.

Sustainability

Global compliance risk assessments

  • Compliance risk assessments are continually conducted across our whole company. The results help us define meaningful measures to mitigate risk and prioritise resources for training, transaction testing, and spot checks in our highest-risk areas.
Strategy compliance

Supporting a speak up culture

  • Maersk nurtures a ‘speak up’ up culture where employees are encouraged to voice concerns. They can also use our whistleblower system. Our zero-tolerance, non-retaliation policy is enshrined in the Maersk Code of Conduct.
  • We invest in upskilling and training our investigators to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of our investigations.
Supply chain technology

Action on supply chain risks

  • We manage risks through our Third Party Management Process, which focuses on integrity issues relating to third parties interacting with officials or procuring business on our behalf, and our Sustainable Procurement programme.
  • We perform integrity due diligence on all our agents, joint venture partners, key suppliers and M&A targets prior to signing a contract or entering a new market.

Featured highlights and case stories

Maersk Code of Conduct

The Maersk Code of Conduct sets global standards for how we engage with colleagues, customers, suppliers, communities, authorities and other stakeholders. Our expectations towards our employees are clearly expressed in the Maersk Code of Conduct and Maersk Commit Anti-Corruption Rules and guidelines, which cover rules on travel, meals, hospitality, gifts and entertainment.

All employees must complete onboarding and annual refresher training on our Code of Conduct, and mandatory training on anti-corruption and sanctions. We carry out transaction testing and spot checks on an ongoing basis to identify and address risks or gaps.

Maersk Code of Conduct
Maersk Code of Conduct

Annual Report 2024

For the first time, we are reporting on our sustainability performance as an integrated part of Maersk's Annual Report. See the report for more information on progress towards environmental, social and governance commitments.
Annual Report 2024
Annual report 2024

Explore more Governance topics

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Sustainable procurement

Find out how we are driving responsible business practices throughout our own and our customers’ supply chains.
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Responsible tax

Well-functioning tax systems are integral to fair and sustainable development. Learn more about our contributions.
Citizenship

Citizenship

We take active responsibility to support the societies and communities where we operate. Explore our latest projects.
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Data ethics

We use and process data based on the principles of Transparency, Innovation, Respect and Security. Learn more about our values-based approach to innovation.

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Careers

Discover job vacancies, find out how to apply to them, and learn more about careers at Maersk.
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About us

Learn more about Maersk’s values, leadership, and history.
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