Ship recycling companies in Bangladesh have confirmed their intentions to hire more women, after acknowledging the “wasted talent” in an industry that has traditionally barred females from employment.
A careers fair hosted by the City of Chattogram, organised by IMO’s Safe and Environmentally Sound Ship Recycling (SENSREC) Project in collaboration with the Women in International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) in Bangladesh, focused on supporting women’s access to the country’s ship recycling sector.
Ship recycling
The event brought together the country’s leading ship recycling companies along with women seafarers, maritime professionals, graduates and students from the Asian Women University and other leading institutions in the city. Participants had the opportunity to visit the exhibition stands to speak directly with potential employers.
Women participants had the opportunity to learn about the wide range of roles in ship recycling and get in-person tips for seeking employment and developing a professional career.
Gender Sensitisation
Discussions highlighted the recently published Gender Sensitisation Manual for the Ship Recycling Sector, which raises awareness of the benefits of gender inclusive workforce and includes recommendations on how to achieve gender balance while avoiding common bias and discrimination.
SENSREC
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) project on Safe and Environmentally Sound Ship Recycling in Bangladesh (SENSREC), Work Package 4, Phase II, was awarded to an ACS led consortium of which WMU is a partner.
Captain Ian Finley receives IMO International Maritime Prize
The project, that is a continuation of SENSREC, Phase I, commenced in April 2016 and is expected to conclude by the end of November 2016. Associate Professor Raphael Baumler is the project leader for WMU.
Amis of Project
The project aims to achieve capacity building in Bangladesh with respect to training and development of Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) and environmental issues in ship recycling. Training material will be developed in line with the curriculum.
The Consortium is led by ACS Marine Risk Control Ltd, UK. Consortium partners, in addition to WMU, include the University of Strathclyde, UK; Green Ship Recycling Services, Germany; Bangladesh Marine Academy; University of Chittagong; Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology; and Capella Consulting Services, Bangladesh.
