Maersk informed that a litigation case against a US subsidiary regarding sexual assault and harassment brought forward by a former midshipman has been resolved.
However, as Reuters informs, attorneys for the two parties mutually agreed that neither side would reveal details of the agreement.
Commenting on the development, midshipman Hope Hicks said that “the leadership of MLL (Maersk Line, Limited) has expressed the need for change. The changes that MLL has proposed are an important first step, but there is still a lot of work to be done in the maritime industry.”
As for MLL, its Chief Executive Officer William Woodhour, stated that:
We want to be absolutely clear that the events Ms. Hicks describes are unacceptable. No matter who and where you are, those who work with us must feel safe and protected in our work environment
To remind, in October 2021, Maersk suspended five employees due to an investigation into the alleged sexual assault on one of its ships run by Maersk Line, Limited. The five employees were later fired.
After the incident, Maersk informed that it started several internal initiatives and was also working with external partners including labour unions, the Maritime Administration and the US Coast Guard.
What is more, due to the incident Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg temporarily suspended the Sea Year program in November 2021, reinstating the program about a month later.
In addition, to Ms. Hicks, a second complaint was filed on behalf of another USMMA student who goes by the moniker “Midshipman-Y”. As the complaint says, Midshipman-Y was severely sexually harassed aboard a Maersk ship during her Sea Year, and she slept clutching a knife for protection.
