IMOCARES Co-Hosts “Women in Maritime Decarbonization” Workshop

The IMO CARES Project, funded by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia delivered ‘Women in Maritime Decarbonization’ in partnership with MTCC Caribbean. The workshop, which took place on the March 6th, 2024 focused on the promotion of the involvement of women in maritime decarbonization, especially in technology-related activities.

The workshop was a key activity of the IMO CARES Project implementation plan for 2024, which is implemented by the International Maritime Organization and funded by Saudi Arabia. The project aims to advance global efforts in reducing shipping emissions by promoting technology focused partnerships, demonstration of technologies and knowledge sharing between the global north and south.

The Workshop explored barriers facing women in the maritime industry with a regional focus on the Caribbean and how women are a fundamental component of the future of decarbonizing the maritime sector. The workshop featured key speakers from across the MTCC as well as representatives from Women in Maritime Caribbean (WiMAC), International Labour Organization (ILO) and The World Maritime University (WMU) and featured remarks from Mr. Kamal Al Junaidi General Manager of Maritime Transport Polices and International Organization Affairs of the Transport General Authority of Saudi Arabia.

Mr. Junaidi, highlighted the importance of encouraging women to engage further in the maritime field to expand the workforce as change makers and be the driving force behind decarbonization. He also provided insight into Vision 2030, the Kingdom’s roadmap for societal change and how it empowers female and youth engagement.

Mr. Junaidi reaffirmed the Kingdoms support for IMOCARES project, outlining its core aims to promote technology focused partnerships and knowledge sharing. He re-emphasised the  need to work together and collaborate when facing the challenges of maritime decarbonization.. He further stated that:

 “To achieve United Nations Sustainable Development Goals especially UNSDG 5 gender-equality and UNSDG 13 climate action we must make gender-equality a fundamental condition in the transition of decarbonizing the shipping sector.”  

Within the workshop, the various panellists provided presentations discussing the core issues with the maritime industry. This included Mr. Ashley Taylor President of PLIPDECO who outlined methods of overcoming these issues through effective education and training, development of leadership roles, awareness projects, and more.

Professor Momoko Kida from the WMU also expressed her concern with the issues women face and outlined the ways WMU is empowering women in the sector with comprehensive higher education in energy management, bringing women to the table to help face the issues of maritime decarbonization.

Notable speakers also included Mrs. Michelle Scipio-Hosang Vice President National Energy Trinidad and Tobago, Ms. Darlin Gaitan Port Commissioner, Belize Port Authority, Mrs. Carlita S. Benjamin President of the Dominican chapter of WiMAC, and Mrs. Vivian Rambarath-Parasram Assistant Professor at University of Trinidad and Tobago and Director of MTCC Caribbean.

The workshop was a valuable addition to the IMO CARES initiative in exploring and better understanding from a regional perspective, how women can be better utilised as key drivers for change in maritime decarbonization.

Mr. Kamal Al Junaidi General Manager of Maritime Transport Polices and International Organization Affairs of the Transport General Authority of Saudi Arabia Addresses the Workshop.