How we #embraceequity and improve gender diversity in shipping
International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8 is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. Started in 1911, IWD has been celebrated for over 100 years. BW LPG celebrates the core messages behind this important day.
Women in Shipping
Shipping is historically a male dominated industry. According to the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), women make up about 1.2% of the global seafarer workforce. To play our part in supporting gender diversity, BW LPG has been providing scholarships to eligible female cadets from the Indian Maritime University. The scholarship began with nine recipients, and into its third year, there are plans to offer 50 scholarships to deserving female cadets.
BW LPG also aims to provide a supportive work environment for our female seafarers. We want staff and seafarers to feel they belong and that they are free to be themselves – bringing a bit of their own birthplace, background, and culture with them; and, above all, to feel that they are safe. As part of BW Group, we rolled out a series of initiatives and policies to promote respect and belonging for colleagues at sea. We clearly highlighted our Anti-Harrassment and Anti-Bullying Guidelines. Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (DIB) Guidelines, as well as our Halting Harrassment Policy.
Commemorating IWD 2023
This International Women’s Day, as a show of support for our female seafarers, Henning Rognli, Fleet Manager, called all female seafarers onboard to wish them a good day at sea. Says Henning, “we are very supportive of bringing more diversity into the fleet and in particular hiring, developing and integrating, curious and enthusiastic women into our pool of seafarers”. He adds, “If we are able to find, develop and keep the right female seafarers, I think we will make a major leap into a safer, mature and considerate environment on board, which will benefit the whole organisation in the long term.” Onboard vessels with female crew, Captain and crew commemorated the occasion with a cake and words of support.
At our offices globally, colleagues took time to chat and commemorate the day together.
The Oslo office celebrated with some cupcakes in the pantry, while the Singapore office had some savory snacks and customised cookies.
At our Madrid office, two colleagues were made to feel extra special on the 8th of March, and a home-made cake was shared to observe the day.
At BW LPG, we aspire towards a Better World. There are many ways to realize our aspiration. One way we can do so, is to support gender diversity in shipping. We will play our part, one scholarship and one colleague at a time.
