Following the International Women’s Day for 2021 on 8 March, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) asked female seafarers to share their stories and experiences of working at sea and the pandemic.
To remind, the ICS Diversity Tracker data revealed that women in shipping make up just 7.5% of the seafarer workforce.
What is more, recent data issued by Spinnaker’s Maritime HR Association highlighted that the shipping industry remains a male-dominant sector, as only the 5% of maritime leadership roles is occupied by women.
In light of the situation, Guy Platten, ICS Secretary General, said:
“Data from our Diversity Tracker shows that shipping has just 7.5% of women working as seafarers and 30% of women in board-level roles. We can and should do more to increase those numbers”.
In fact, Guy Platten explained that there are simple steps that the industry can take, in order to ensure there are women on hiring panels, by making the work environments more inclusive and introduce clear and measurable diversity policies.
“In our Diversity Tracker we recommend an employment target of 12% female seafarers by 2023 and 25% by 2040. A more diverse workforce ensures a broader range of talents and experiences needed to face the future of shipping.”
…Guy Platten added.
Overall, speaking of women in shipping and gender equality, in an exclusive interview with SAFETY4SEA, Mrs Sanjam Sahi Gupta, Director for Sitara Shipping Ltd. and Astral Freight Forwarders Pvt Ltd, who is also founder member of Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) India and Board Member of WISTA International, talked about diversity in the shipping industry, noting that we need more women in leadership positions.
