27 companies join forces in effort to attract more talents to shipping, both on land and at sea. The initiative was launched in Zürich Tuesday.
The maritime industry needs a much bigger focus on diversity, equality and inclusion.
Therefore, a group of 27 companies across the shipping sector have assembled on a new initiative that through the promotion of these key areas will seek to attract the necessary labor to an industry undergoing abrupt changes.
”In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic and in light of changing demographics and increased global competition for talent, the maritime industry must step up its collective efforts to improve on diversity, equity and inclusion to expand the available talent pool,” reads a press release by All Aboard Alliance.
The maritime industry must step up its collective efforts to improve on diversity, equity and inclusion to expand the available talent pool
ALL ABOARD ALLIANCE
The initiative is primarily about making the industry more up-to-date and attractive for current and potential employees.
”To retain its competitiveness and to successfully deal with the challenges headed our way, the maritime industry needs to increasingly work together to retain existing talent and attract new,” says Head of Shipping at South32 and Co-Chair of the All Aboard Alliance Su Yin Anand in the announcement.
In the next couple of days, the participants meet up in Zürich to agree on concrete measures meant to promote the realization of a more diverse and inclusive industry.
According to Anand, an example could be the conditions for female seafarers on board ships.
At a digital press meeting in relation to the launch of the All Aboard Alliance, several participants mentioned gender imbalance and lack of diversity at management level as some of the most urgent topics for discussion.
Equality is good for business
The other co-chair of the alliance, Mikael Skov, who is also chief executive of tanker operator Hafnia, states that the members will strive for a marked improvement of three areas – diversity, equality and inclusion.
”It is imperative at this pivotal time, where a diversity of skills and competences is paramount to innovating our way through the continuous evolution and developments in decarbonization, digitalization, and automation,” Skov says in the announcement.
At the press meeting, Skov said that it’s furthermore good business to promote diversity and equality in the sector.
”It can have a positive effect on all our businesses. It’s not just a question of ticking off a box,” he stated, adding that the initiative will lead to better decisions and prepare the industry for the future.
The alliance rests on five principles meant to prepare managers and regular employees for promoting the three key areas at their workplace; to develop a company culture, in which everyone has the same possibilities; and to communicate progress consistently.
All Aboard Alliance counts 27 members, including a number of carriers and ship management companies, and is supported by the Global Maritime Forum.
