TMS Awards 2023Sailors SocietyPort of South LouisianaTelestackViganVan Aalst
  • Telestack
  • Port of Stockton
  • Port of South Louisiana
  • TBA Group
  • Bühler GmbH
  • Van Aalst

Women climbing the maritime career ladder, but more can be done

Women climbing the maritime career ladder, but more can be done

(Posted on 18/05/22)

Women are advancing up the Caribbean maritime career-ladder into senior positions – although more can still be done to ensure full diversity and encourage women to take up the myriad of maritime opportunities available, according to a Jamaican maritime industry leader.

As the global shipping community gears up to celebrate the inaugural International Day for Women in Maritime, Claudia Grant, Deputy Director General of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ) said the industry is changing for the better and urged more companies to put in place gender integration policies to smooth the path for future generations.

Mrs Grant, who has risen from a “summer job at a port” to become a leading figure in the Caribbean maritime community, expressed her delight in the progress made so far. “The maritime industry has changed for the better and I am living my hope,” she enthused. “I am seeing young, vibrant, dynamic, and competent women working in the industry and doing well. There are so many women all over the Caribbean in top maritime leadership positions.”

Mrs Grant highlighted the numerous successful maritime women in the Caribbean, such as Corah Ann Robertson Sylvester, MAJ Chairman of the Board; Tamara Lowe, President of the Women In Maritime Association Caribbean (WiMAC) Governing Council 2022-2024 and Country Manager for Tropical Shipping Dominica; Valrie Campbell, Director of Terminal Operations, Kingston Wharves Limited; and Rear Admiral Antonette Wemyss Gorman, the first woman to run Jamaica’s military.

She said the key to ensure future female success stories is to put in place policies that enable future generations to succeed without having to undergo the struggles their peers have been through. “The world can be made easier for those who are yet to come,” she said. “We are now seeing far more women in far more roles, not just in administration. There are women throughout all aspects of the maritime world including at sea, in maritime law, in technical and commercial professions, at ports, in the environmental sector, in freight-forwarding etc. Women are increasingly being recognised throughout the industry and we must build on this success.”

Mrs Grant finds that many men in maritime are keen to learn how to support women in the maritime industry and to find out more about how they can help. The International Day for Women in Maritime, organised by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), is an important steppingstone in raising the profile of women in maritime and to highlight the skills and abilities they can bring to the workplace.

Mrs Grant, who credits her own success to hard work, determination, and some supportive male bosses, points to education as playing a crucial role in allowing women to develop their competencies and progress. “I think education and training are key, as is having the support and guidance of positive role models and mentors,” she said. Her views chime with the focus of the first International Day for Women in Maritime which is ‘Training-Visibility-Recognition: Supporting a barrier-free working environment’.

Her advice to young women entering the maritime industry is to obtain the qualifications they need for their desired roles and then just “work and work.”

Latest News

ESL to sell Supramaxes

(Posted on 25/03/24)

ESL Shipping, a leading carrier of dry bulk cargoes in the Baltic region, has signed a memorandum of... Read more


Sustainable fuels can reach cost parity with fossil fuels by 2035

(Posted on 25/03/24)

New Wärtsilä analysis shows EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime will close price gap, creating policy... Read more


Swedish Club delivers firm foundation for future growth

(Posted on 25/03/24)

The Swedish Club reported positive results for 2023, combined with an emphasis on supporting its members... Read more


DNV establishes Tanker and Bulker Expert Team in China

(Posted on 18/03/24)

DNV has established a Tanker and Bulker Expert Team based in Shanghai. With strong global demand and... Read more


ClassNK notation for improvements in living and working environment

(Posted on 18/03/24)

ClassNK has granted its “ELW” (Excellent Living and Working Environment) notation to &ldquo... Read more


Boers: crews' health should not be sacrificed while at out sea

(Posted on 15/03/24)

Leading crew change specialist Boers Crew Services says the industry should be collaborating more to... Read more


Wärtsilä simulator technology for Sharjah Maritime Academy

(Posted on 15/03/24)

Technology group Wärtsilä has supplied its latest simulator technology to the prestigious... Read more


ASL rebrands as Adhira Shipping and Logistics and expands range of logistics services

(Posted on 10/03/24)

Adhira Shipping and Logistics (ASL) has launched an integrated suite of logistics and transportation... Read more


Attack on MV True Confidence – INTERCARGO statement

(Posted on 10/03/24)

The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) had joined shipping industry associations... Read more


Diverse Algoma fleet contributes to revenue growth

(Posted on 29/02/24)

Algoma Central Corporation has reported its results for the year ended December 31, 2023. Algoma reported... Read more


Bühler GmbHPort of StocktonGeneva DryTBA GroupCimbria
  • Cimbria
  • TMS Awards 2023
  • Sailors Society

Subscribe to our newsletter

Keep up to date with the latest global news in bulk cargo handling and shipping