Our special column asked from the winners of the first CAREER4SEA – EUROPORT Awards, which were announced in early November on the sidelines of EUROPORT, to suggest ways in order to support gender diversity in shipping and give motives to younger generations for investing in a career in the industry.
This year, IMO WMD theme was dedicated to women empowerment in the maritime community. What needs to be done further to support gender diversity in shipping?
Connie Roozen- Treasurer, WISTA
We should be more aware of the bias against women and train people, even at top management, on how to acknowledge talents, either female or male. We definitely need a different approach for the recruitment of women and role models; just consider that nowadays only 2% are female seafarers. Therefore, it is difficult to attract more women if we don’t have role models to set the example. In WISTA, we are working on showing that there are women in our industry and in management levels.
Carolien Vat-Sandee – Director & Co-Founder, PortXL
Working in maritime logistics, my observation is that this is another male-dominated sector. However, in maritime innovation, it seems there are a lot of women, which is an interesting element considering that innovation field is inspiring and energetic and therefore, other women and young girls can be inspired and attracted accordingly.
Dr-Ing Orestis Schinas, Professor of Shipping and Ship Finance, Head of Department of Maritime and Logistics , HSBA
Give women a chance; Invite them to the industry, and let them do what the men are doing: negotiations in the yards, supervision of newbuildings, sail onboard, sit at the negotiation table, etc… let them be part of the decision-making process.
Peter Paul van Voorst tot Voorst – Founder, Skoon Energy
In our office, there are more women than men surprisingly! I think, for the maritime industry what goes for young people, same goes for women. The whole industry will perform better, if there is balance in every aspect, i.e. age groups and gender.
Above views were presented during a panel discussion at the award ceremony of first CAREER4SEA – EUROPORT Awards, 8 November, Rotterdam.
