The Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) in the Netherlands gathered recently to mark Day of the seafarer on 25th June, with a seminar on the “seafarer of the future” hosted by Marlow Navigation Netherland’s offices in Rhoon.
The event began with a keynote from Chair of the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA) and CEO at MF Shipping Group, Karin Orsel. This was followed by a panel discussion on a number of current topics, moderated by Marielle Gehlert (Rederij Groen) and Jorunn Eldoy (Mintra), together with Elize van Rooijen Mous (Anthony Veder) and Karin Staal (Pathways). A number of colleagues from Marlow Netherlands also participated in the discussion.
The agenda began with a discussion on how major advancements in shipping are prompting crew members to acquire new skills (upskill), including digitalisation, automation, and the use of new fuel types. To meet this increasing demand, new approaches to education and training delivery will also have to be adopted, such as with digital and online learning, as well as cloud-based simulation courses.
It was also highlighted that although the new revision of STCW training standards is expected to be finalised by 2027, early collaboration between stakeholders is essential in this area. Next to the essentials of safety awareness and technical skills, there is a greater emphasis on imperative soft skills. These include but are not limited to leadership, problem-solving, decision-making and adaptation.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of psychological safety among teams on board; of feeling safe and confident to speak up with a free mind, not being afraid to share ideas and thoughts, and getting more involved.
Likewise, the many practical examples that have been implemented in our industry to improve seafarer welfare and well-being on the whole. For instance, greater focus on improving contact between crew and shore-based teams, with planned digital meetings, ship visits, collecting feedback and then taking action, team-building workshops, seminars and trainings, among other initiatives. During such opportunities, themes covered include diversity and inclusion, understanding and respecting cultural differences, psychological safety, speaking up, generational gaps, and working as a team.
Meanwhile, concrete examples were offered to help contribute to a safer and better working environment for seafarers, such as communicating about the holidays of different nationalities to increase awareness (i.e. Ramadan/Diwali) and generating greater understanding, respect and camaraderie. Together, we are responsible for safety and well-being, and we have to get involved to ensure a better environment for all seafarers.
Finally, the panel discussed the seafarer of the future, and in the context of sustainable employability. Various topics included:
- How do you ensure employees stay fit (physically and mentally)
- How do you keep people motivated and engaged
- How do you deal with staying current and relevant with knowledge and skills (a concrete example we see is with digitalisation, and especially how older generations handle this)
- Work-life balance
- Financially literacy; and meeting the challenges,
- WISTA’s wider vision and mission, and
- How diversity is key in providing a sustainable future for shipping.
As a global networking organisation, WISTA’s mission is to attract and support women in the maritime, trading and logistics sectors, by promoting and encouraging diversity and inclusion, and empowering women to lead through their unique perspective and competencies.
59 countries support a National WISTA Association (NWA), each of which in turn is a member of and is guided by WISTA International. NWAs provide in-country local and regional networking, business and skill-building opportunities, corporate visibility, and also facilitate relationships within the industry. On a global scale, WISTA’s 5100+ members have access to an incredibly diverse network of executives in the shipping and trading field on whom they can call for referrals, connections, advice or business collaborations.
www.wistainternational.com
