On November 16th, 2022, the largest maritime diversity conference, “Maritime SheEO Conference 2022,” with the theme “Changing Leadership Paradigms,” was hosted at The Taj, Santa Cruz in Mumbai. Maritime SheEO is the brainchild of Founder member, Ms. Sanjam Sahi Gupta, Director, Sitara Shipping, and member of WISTA International Board.

It was a resounding success, with around 200 people from across the world in attendance and over 1300 online participants. The attendance gender ratio was an amazing 50:50! and had a 4.7 rating online. The event’s distinguishing feature was the global meeting of leaders with a single goal in mind: to encourage diversity.

Dr. Cleopatra Doumbia-Henry, President of World Maritime University, delivered the conference’s keynote address. Other notable speakers at the conference included Dr. Jose Matheikcal, Chief Department of Partnerships & Projects, IMO,   Shri Amitabh Kumar, Director General of Shipping, Govt. of India, Mr. Ottar Ostnes, Director General of the Department of Maritime Policy and Coastal Development, Underlying the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries (Norway), Elpi Petraki, WISTA International President, Mr. Mick Kinley, CEO, Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

The long-awaited Handbook on Diversity was also released at the Conference, after much research and public online surveys conducted by WISTA International, Anglo Eastern, ISWAN and ICS.  The survey conducted was designed to examine how women seafarers’ perceived discrimination and how it manifested onboard based on personal experience. The complete findings from the survey and recommendations are published in this handbook.

Many distinguished personalities from around the world took part in the various interactive sessions which included Mrs. HK Joshi, Former CMD, SCI, Dr. Malini V Shankar, Vice Chancellor, Indian Maritime University, Ms. Fabiana Martins, Partner, SMA, Eng. Ilya Espino de Marotta,  Her Excellency Dr. Omaimah Bamasag, Deputy Director of Transport Enablement for Transport General Authority, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Capt. K. Karthik, Principal, AMET University, Natalia Bury Loyal, Chief Governance Officer, Tototheo Maritime, Shri Ramesh S Ramakrishnan, Chairman, Transworld, Katharina Stanzel, MD, Intertanko, Capt. Juan Maltez, Director of the General Directorate of Seafarers at Panama Maritime Authority. etc.

The interactive sessions included testimonies from participants of the IMO-sponsored Maritime SheEO Leadership and Acceleration Program (LEAP) for women in maritime.  Other sessions included debates and discussions on topics such as Women in Leadership & Boards – Why it Matters, Passing the Baton, Best Diverse Logistics Practices, Sustainability through the Legal Lens, My Story, The Path to Sustainability, and so on.

Maritime SheEO Awards were also presented to outstanding individuals and Companies from the Maritime Sector. The list includes –

SheEO Leads (for excellent leadership in a Company) Winners Katharina Stanzel and Dorothea Ioannou They were awarded in a special segment led by IMO’s Dr. Arsenio Dominguez, Director, Marine Environment Division, IMO who spoke about the importance of this event and assured support to Maritime SheEO.

Media Company of the Year (for an organization that has demonstrated fair and gender bias-free reporting as well as exemplary practices in journalism and inclusivity of women in the spotlight)  – Winners are Tradewinds

Most Diverse Board (companies with 50% or more women on the board) – Unfortunately no company qualified for this award but hopefully next year there will be some contenders for this award

Champion of Diversity (Award for Men who have gone above and beyond to ensure that women’s voices are heard) – Winners Capt. Arvind Shankar, Culture & Capability Manager, Maersk AS.

Brilliant SheEO (a woman who has been nominated by a Maritime Association), Winner Meenakshi Bhirugnath Bhokun, nominated by WOMSEA, Mauritius.

SheEO to watch out for (women who are excellent at their jobs and show the potential of reaching the top of their careers) Winner Capt. Jaquelyn Burton and Amreen Bano.

Best Companies with Sustainable Practices (a company that provides sustainable practices in the workplace) – Winner South Asia Gateway Terminals

Best Company with Diversity Practices (for a company that has inculcated best practices in the workplace) – Winners Seaspan

Last but not least, the Maritime SheEO Conference also implemented sustainability initiatives, such as digital ticket distribution, plastic usage that was kept to a minimum, upcycled and recyclable presents, and durable award trophies.

The day was well spent and concluded with a closing note of thanks by Sanjam Sahi Gupta.  A standing ovation was also accorded to Sanjam from the audience!

Marex Media