What an Anniversary that was on WISTA-UK’s 50th Anniversary at the House of Lords. I was more than a lucky man being here in the UK studying Shipping when the news come out from our late Professor James McConville at the then City of London Polytechnic in Moorgate!!!!
More on the first update. Watch this space!
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On Tuesday, 26 November, WISTA UK hosted a seminar and evening reception at the House of Lords as their penultimate celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA). This milestone event brought together WISTA’s founding members, industry leaders, allies and professionals to honour the pivotal contributions of women in the maritime sector and discuss how the industry can continue to evolve for future generations. It was a fitting celebration of WISTA’s 50-year legacy in championing women’s voices and leadership in shipping.
Panel 1: Reflecting on the Past, Shaping the Future of Women in Maritime
The seminar opened with a powerful panel discussion featuring WISTA’s founding members—Gina Fyffe, Margaret Llewelyn, and Stella Marks—alongside Jean Richards, Claudene Sharp-Patel, Global Technical Director for Lloyd’s Register and WISTA International President Elpi Petraiki. Moderated by Sue Terpilowski OBE, this session provided an insightful reflection on the challenges, successes, and ongoing opportunities for women in the maritime industry.
The Birth of WISTA: Overcoming Gender Barriers
The founding members discussed the genesis of WISTA and how it was created to address the glaring lack of professional development opportunities for women in the shipping and maritime sectors. One key issue that prompted the formation of WISTA was the limited representation of women at maritime conferences and industry events. By creating an inclusive platform for networking and knowledge-sharing, WISTA provided women with much-needed visibility and a space to advance their careers.
WISTA’s founding was also a response to the scarcity of women applying for roles in shipping and petrochemical companies. The panel shared their collective belief that encouraging young girls to pursue STEM education was a critical step in changing this dynamic, emphasising the importance of creating opportunities from an early age.
Addressing Workplace Dynamics and Technological Change
The panel also tackled some of the nuanced workplace challenges still affecting women in the maritime industry today. One such challenge is navigating workplace environments where men may feel uncomfortable, often due to misunderstandings about professional interactions. The founders underscored the importance of creating a balanced work environment where all interactions are based on mutual respect, understanding, and professionalism.
Technological advancements, while significant, were also identified as an area requiring attention. As the industry adapts to rapid technological changes, the panel stressed the need for corresponding regulations to ensure safety and equity for all workers, particularly women. They agreed that WISTA’s advocacy for such regulations and ensuring women’s voices are heard in the process is crucial.
Continuing the Push for Leadership Representation
The issue of women’s underrepresentation in leadership roles was another focal point. While significant progress has been made over the past 50 years, the panel noted that continued efforts are needed to ensure women are equally represented on boards and in decision-making roles within maritime and shipping companies.
The first panel session at WISTA UK’s 50th anniversary event was not only a reflection on past progress but also a vision for the future of women in maritime. The panellists highlighted the importance of persistence, authenticity, and visibility while addressing some of the industry’s ongoing challenges.
Jean Richards, one of WISTA’s early members, spoke passionately about the need for persistence in the fight for equality. She acknowledged the slow pace of change in the maritime industry but firmly stated that it was essential to keep pushing forward. “Change happens slowly, but it is possible,” she remarked, encouraging the audience to continue striving for progress despite setbacks. Her words resonated deeply, reminding everyone that the journey toward equality, though long, is achievable with determination.
Gina Fyffe, another of WISTA’s founders, shared her own experience in the maritime sector, offering practical advice to women looking to advance in their careers. She urged women to overcome preconceived barriers and apply for roles in trading companies, stressing that these roles were not as daunting as they might seem. “Don’t be afraid to take the leap,” she said, dispelling myths about the difficulty of such positions and encouraging women to seize the opportunities available. Her message was a powerful reminder of the importance of self-confidence and not letting societal expectations limit one’s ambitions.
Claudene Sharp-Patel, Global Technical Director for Lloyd’s Registera prominent voice in the maritime industry, echoed a similar sentiment, albeit from a different perspective. She emphasised the importance of authenticity in the workplace. In a sector often dominated by traditional, male-driven cultures, Claudia explained that being true to oneself can foster trust and transparency. “When you bring your authentic self to work, it opens the door for better communication and stronger relationships,” she said, highlighting that authenticity is not just a personal value but a professional asset.
Elpi Petraiki, the WISTA International President, brought the discussion to a global level, urging industry leaders to take a proactive role in gathering data on women’s representation within the maritime sector. She called for companies to complete the IMO/ WISTA women in shipping survey, a critical initiative aimed at tracking women’s progress in the industry and identifying areas where more work is needed. By collecting data on women’s roles in shipping, Elpi believes the sector can better identify its gaps and implement more targeted solutions for greater inclusivity.
Finally, the panel stressed the importance of visibility for women in the maritime industry. They issued a challenge to attendees to increase female representation at conferences and industry events and highlighted there was the Women Speaker Bureau, a database designed to encourage organisers to feature more women as speakers. By registering more women in Speaker Bureau, the panel hopes to see a significant increase in female representation at key industry events, ensuring women’s voices are heard and their expertise is recognised.
Panel 2: Seafarers’ Rights and Challenges for Women at Sea
The second session of the seminar shifted focus to the challenges women face at sea, particularly concerning seafarers’ rights and workplace conditions. Moderated by Helen Kelly, Director of Communications, Campaigns, and Digital at Nautilus International, the panel featured Captain Louise Sara MNM, Director of Maritime Standards at Carnival Corporation; Ann Pletschke, Master Mariner; Heather Enness MNM, Master Mariner and Scarlett Barnett-Smith, Third Officer at DFDS.
This panel discussed the impact of national and international laws on women seafarers, workplace challenges, and the ongoing struggles for fair wages and improved working conditions across the maritime industry. They also addressed difficult issues like workplace harassment and bullying, shedding light on how these issues continue to affect the seafaring profession.
Key Issues Facing Women at Sea
One of the main topics was the “motherhood penalty” where women in the maritime sector experience career setbacks after taking maternity leave. Heather Enness and Sara Louise emphasised the importance of supportive maternity policies, highlighting that companies should introduce practices like holding positions for up to two years after childbirth to prevent women from being unfairly disadvantaged in their careers.
The issue of flexible working arrangements was also discussed, particularly in response to a question from the audience about zero-hour contracts for seafarers. Heather Enness and Ann Pletschke noted that, while such contracts can be contentious, they can have a positive impact on seafarers who require flexible working hours. The panel emphasised that preserving flexibility is crucial, especially for women with family responsibilities, and is essential for retaining skilled workers in an increasingly competitive maritime sector.
Addressing Workplace Harassment and Gendered Discrimination
Workplace harassment, particularly sexual harassment, remains a significant barrier for women at sea. The panel called for more comprehensive bystander training for seafarers to foster a culture of respect and accountability onboard ships. Ann Pletschke pointed to successful models in other industries and advocated for their adaptation to maritime settings to help eliminate harassment.
The session also highlighted the need for better sanitary provisions for women working at sea. Scarlett Barnett-Smith argued that ships should be equipped with sanitary supplies in the same way they carry other medical provisions, ensuring that women’s health needs are adequately addressed while onboard.
Evening Reception: Reflecting on the Past and Looking Ahead
The evening reception provided a fitting conclusion to the day’s events, with Lord Jeffrey Mountevans delivering an opening address that underscored his strong support for WISTA UK’s mission of promoting the role of women in maritime. WISTA UK President Monica Kohli delivered a brief but impactful update on the association’s efforts, highlighting two key campaigns: sponsoring female cadets and supporting initiatives that drive diversity across the sector.
Monica announced that WISTA UK is actively sponsoring five female cadets, providing them the opportunity to pursue careers in the maritime industry. WISTA UK is also continuing its partnership with Women in Transport for the Advance mentorship programme, ensuring that women at all levels have access to the guidance and resources they need to succeed.
A Strong Foundation for the Future
WISTA’s founders—Gina Fife, Margaret Llewelyn, and Stella Marks—shared their reflections on the origin of the association and expressed their gratitude to the WISTA UK board and members for continuing to grow and expand the organisation. Elpi Petraiki, WISTA International President, echoed these sentiments, thanking all those who have contributed to WISTA’s global success and impact.
The event was made possible by the generous support of key sponsors, including Oldendorff, Steamship Mutual, Lloyd’s Register, Nautilus International, Quadrant Chambers and Waves Group.
As WISTA looks to the future, the 50th anniversary celebration serves as a powerful reminder of the critical need for advocacy, mentorship and collaboration in driving change. The event reflected on past achievements while reaffirming WISTA’s unwavering commitment to breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive and diverse maritime industry for the next generation of women in shipping.
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Uploaded: 29 November 2024 10:45 p.m
Updated : 24 December 2024 10: 40 a.m. – photos to follow.
