Ferry operator Stena Line is reaching out to women in Northern Ireland to attend a taster day at the company’s terminal in Belfast Harbour to encourage them to pursue a career as a Port Service Operative.

With women making up just 2% of seafarers and 12% of core roles in ports globally*, Stena Line is committed to increasing the representation of women both at sea and onshore as part of its Diversity and Inclusion strategy. The ferry operator currently has equal men and women at Group Management level and has a long-term goal of a gender equal workforce across the business.

Taking place at Stena Line’s Victoria Terminal 2 on West Bank Road on Thursday 9th May, Stena Line’s Women’s Port Taster Day is targeted specifically at women to give them an idea of what working at a port involves and encourage them to consider a career in Port Operations. On the day, participants will hear about what it is like to work as a Port Service Operative for Stena Line, receive a tour of the port, followed by the opportunity to take a seat in a ‘tug master,’ which is used to tow unaccompanied freight units onto the ships.

Darren Byers, Port Manager at Stena Line in Belfast said, “We’re looking forward to welcoming women in Northern Ireland to our taster day at the port to find out what a career in port operations entails. Following a successful event held last year at our terminal in Birkenhead, we are rolling out this initiative in Belfast in the hope it piques the interest of some potential applicants. Port Service Operatives are a key part of our day to day running of the port. We have exciting plans at Stena Line in Belfast, and we look forward to showcasing it as a great place to work and a rewarding career choice."

The role of a Port Service operator involves mooring of vessels on arrival, loading and unloading ships, assisting passengers in boarding and disembarkation, and driving tug masters to deliver unaccompanied freight.

In March, Stena Line launched a new concept for International Women’s Day, “We’ll celebrate when we get there.” This manifesto acknowledged that the company has not yet reached the point of gender balance, but included the steps that it is taking and pledged to celebrate once it reaches these targets.

Nicola Barlow, People Business Partner, Stena Line, said, “Historically, the maritime industry has been predominantly male, and Stena Line is actively seeking to improve the representation of women on our ships and at our ports. Gender equality is one of our three primary focus areas within our Diversity & Inclusion Strategy and we have ambitious targets to meet in terms of gender balance. Our Women’s Port Taster Days are just one of our initiatives that Stena Line is rolling out to improve gender equality across the business, and once we achieve it, then we’ll celebrate.”

Stena Line is the largest ferry operator on the Irish Sea, with the biggest fleet providing up to 248 weekly sailings offering the widest choice of routes including combined passenger and freight services: Belfast-Cairnryan; Belfast-Liverpool; Dublin-Holyhead; Rosslare-Fishguard and Rosslare-Cherbourg.

The company also runs a dedicated freight-only route from Belfast to Heysham, in addition to the new Dublin-Liverpool (Birkenhead) route.

Spaces at this event are limited and registration is required. Register on this link.

Interested individuals can contact Stena Line for more information by emailing: [email protected]

To find out more about working at Stena Line visit: stenaline.com/career

Shipbuilder, Harland & Wolff Group is among the participants in the UK of the National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) which is underway and continues to this Sunday, 11 February.

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, the Group had sponsored a Maritime UK roundtable held at their head office in London at Lower Thames Street.

NAW provides an opportunity for the education and skills sector to celebrate the achievements of apprentices around the country and the positive impact they make to communities, businesses, and the wider economy.

The event yesterday in the UK capital, has helped to celebrate the role that apprenticeships play in developing the skills needed to ensure a competitive and sustainable maritime sector.

The roundtable brought together apprentices from across the sector to share their experiences and included a session with employers, who shared best practice and identified areas for collaboration.

Partners from government also heard directly from maritime employers about how apprenticeship programmes could be better supported by skills delivery bodies.

H&W were especially glad to have welcomed two of their apprentices to take part in the discussion – Ben from Appledore and Victoria from Belfast. Both are apprentice welders and joined Harland & Wolff in September 2023.

The future of the maritime sector is tremendously important to us, and it was wonderful to see so much support for the development and prospects for apprentices who wish to pursue careers within maritime.

Harland & Wolff’s apprenticeship programme was first launched in 2021 and is designed to equip young people leaving school and college with the skills required to forge a rewarding and long-term career in shipbuilding and marine fabrication. Over 150 apprentices have so far taken part in the scheme, with 2024 set to boost those numbers significantly.

Apprenticeship opportunities are available at each of Harland & Wolff’s four manufacturing sites; and in three skill areas – trades, business support and technical. The variety of opportunities on offer aim to provide apprentices with a wide range of transferable skills to navigate the ever-changing maritime industry.

Those joining the scheme could have the opportunity to work on the next generation of Fleet Solid Support ships the company is helping build through to working on green sources of energy such as offshore wind turbine foundations. All with support of skilled tradespeople committed to share their knowledge and skills to future generations of maritime professionals.

Director of Talent, David Honeyman, said, “It’s never been a more exciting time to consider a shipbuilding and engineering apprenticeship with Harland & Wolff. Whether you’re a school or college leaver, our apprenticeships ensure your career gets off to the best possible start. You’ll work alongside and be mentored by experienced colleagues and be encouraged to share your ideas and fresh perspectives. We’ve set course to not only build the finest vessels, but to build a diverse, equitable and inclusive skilled workforce able deliver high standards of performance through trust, creativity and teamwork.”

Matthew Cosby, who joined the scheme in June 2022 said, “I left school not really knowing what I wanted to do next but the opportunity to learn a practical trade and earn money at the same time made me want to apply. Two years later, I’m now training as a Welder and worked on some really interesting projects at the Belfast yard where I’m based.”

Today is 'World Maritime Day' which is been celebrated by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the global shipping community. The theme for this year's event is "Empowering Women in the Maritime Community".

This provides an opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of gender equality, in line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, and to highlight the important - yet under-utilized - contribution of women within the maritime sector.

"Gender equality has been recognized as one of the key platforms on which people can build a sustainable future. It is one of the 17 goals that underpin the UN's Sustainable Development Agenda, which countries all over the world have pledged to implement," said IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim.

"Helping our Member States achieve the SDGs and deliver the 2030 Agenda is one of our key strategic directions. Gender equality and decent work for all are among those goals - SDGs 5 and 8- and, although we are highlighting the role of women in the maritime community this year, I want to stress that this is part of a continuing, long-term effort in support of these objectives," Mr. Lim said.

Empowering women fuels thriving economies across the world, spurs growth and development, and benefits everyone working in the global maritime community in the drive towards safe, secure, clean and sustainable shipping.

Watch the Turning the Tide video download and the World Maritime theme message from IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim.

In addition for further information in turning the tide to bring gender diversity visit the Women In Maritime IMO's Gender Programme