ACU March-19 Final Draft

FEATURE
Fichte believes only when women
join forces can they obtain their
rightful place in the maritime sector.
“In doing so, our actions will act as
the ultimate portrayal of the benefits
we can offer to uplift the industry and
t h e a p p r o p r i a t e r e s p e c t w i l l
simultaneously be earned,” she said.
Tina Benjamin-Lea, Logistics
Manager at SNC-Lavalin and a
member of the Advisory Board at
Breakbulk Middle East, believes
diversity and inclusion are the key
drivers in pushing the industry
forward.
“Women have always contributed
to all aspects of our industry, as
project logisticians delivering
projects in often challenging
locations, shipbrokers fixing cargoes,
and cargo superintendents and
marine warranty surveyors loading
cargoes on ever growing scales in
ports across the globe,” Benjamin-
Lea noted.
“In today's world, diversity and
inclusion are key drivers and such
women in logistics and maritime
should play an active role in
reshaping industry perceptions.
SNC-Lavalin is committed to
supporting women across all
business sectors and developing
local talents in the Middle East that
can take the lead in creating a better
future for generations to come,” she
added.
Technology an enabler
Katherine Yakunchenkova, General
Manager, Al Safina Security Group,
which specializes in global security
solutions, rapid developments in
technology is opening up new
o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r w o m e n
traditionally relegated for men like
the maritime industry.
“Rapid growth of innovations and
new technologies that shape the
shipping world, such as usage of
blockchain, robotic processing
systems, drone deliveries, ecofriendly
ships provide the industry
possibility for big leap in operation
efficiency. Technological changes are
accelerating and tech trends will
contribute stupendously into
e c o n o m i c g r o w t h t h a t I fi n d
remarkable,” Yakunchenkova said.
T h r o u g h o u t h e r c a r e e r ,
Ya k u n c h e n k o v a s a i d s h e h a s
witnessed how technology has
transformed gender equality in many
fields.
“Based on the World Economic
Forum report, finally we will achieve
economic gender parity if progress
continues at the current rate.
Overcoming the digital gender divide
is imperative for our common future
to be safer, brighter and fairer,” she
said.
Suha Abdulla Obaid, Deputy CEO,
Folk Group, said although women
account for 40% of the global
workforce, their number is really
small in the maritime industry.
“Despite women forming nearly
40% of the global workforce, the
amount of women involved in
international maritime is only a mere
t w o p e r c e n t . T h i s n u m b e r
encompasses all aspects of shipping,
ranging from primarily seafarers to
only a few top-level executives. For
that reason, bridging the Maritime's
gender gap is an issue that must be
addressed and an initiative that
Breakbulk Middle East appears to be
taking seriously,” she said.
“Although the industry has
become more aware of the benefits
that come with reducing the gender
imbalance, continuing to promote
this concept on the significant
channels of exposure is a crucial
element to combatting the disparity,”
she added.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia, which
represent the two largest GCC
economies in the region with a
combined GDP of about US$1.1
trillion, led delegates from more than
52 countries from all sectors of the
project cargo and break-bulk
industry that participated in the two
day BBME expo and conference held
February 11-12 at the Dubai World
Trade Center.