Diversity at Sea

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Why Diversity Matters

Respect & Support for our female seafarers

Wallem is a place where both men and women can achieve their highest aspirations.

Respect and support for all our seafarers is integral to Wallem’s strong safety culture.

Having seafarers who feel engaged and positive is essential to boost morale onboard, and ensure that the focus is on operational excellence and safety.

An industry issue

Women make up a mere 2% of the global maritime workforce. It is clear that more needs to be done to recruit and welcome women into the industry. A gender diverse workforce and an inclusive culture is not only the right thing to do but it also increases engagement, reduces turnover and benefits the bottom line. Encouraging and supporting more women into the shipping industry has to come at government level and from support from shipping organisations such as the IMO. They need to work together with maritime colleges and companies to encourage more women into the industry.

Faced with an ageing workforce and with shipping not attracting the younger generations as it once did, there is an industry shortage of good quality recruits. Like most

shipping companies, Wallem is faced with the challenge of actively trying to encourage more young people into shipping; both male and female. The fact is that few women consider shipping as a career option because there is a lack of information and support for women on career opportunities in the maritime field. There is a general lack of forums and workshops to exchange ideas and views about the maritime sector and how to ensure women can be part of the future seafarer workforce. There is also a lack of a support network as a whole for women in the maritime industry – at company, organisation and government level.

At Wallem, we are committed to the lifelong mentoring of our all seafarers, with structured capability building to transition maritime professionals from sea to shore positions. In fact, our shore staff is made up in good part of ex-Wallem seafarers.

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A respectful and professional workplace

Female seafarers make up around 0.6% of our total pool of seafarers (around 50 female crew in total). These women are spread evenly across the ranks, with a particular large number of 2 nd and 3 rd Officers and Engineers. Wallem is committed to promoting gender diversity and creating supportive and respectful environments both onshore and onboard Wallem-managed ships. Diversity and inclusivity are key components of our wellness@sea programme which promotes a positive working culture and behaviour – and provides our seafarers with support regarding wellbeing at sea, including but not limited to stress management, healthy eating and the importance of quality sleep and exercise. We are proud of our strong dignity@sea programme which promotes a respectful and professional workplace environment on board. We believe that it is our duty as ship manager to ensure that all Wallem seafarers; both male and female, are valued crew members whose well-being and mental and emotional health is taken care of. Wellness@Sea and dignity@sea are key aspects of

Wallem’s pre-joining safety briefings and are included in all training sessions. The content is also reinforced during Wallem Fleet Officers’ Meetings where seafarers are encouraged to share and give feedback on all aspects of life at sea.

Time for change

Unfortunately one of the biggest barriers that women face in this industry is perception – firstly that seafaring is an industry exclusively for men and secondly that women are still seen by some as a “homemaker” whose job is to stay home and look after the kids, while their husband is the “breadwinner”. This perception and mindset needs to change. We believe that the more women that share and shed light on their career success in this field, the more women it will inspire to do the same. We have some great advocates in our current female seafarers, who are very happy to share their experiences of life onboard during our Wallem Fleet Officers’ Meetings and act as mentors for new female recruits.

Interview with 2nd Officer Ronalyn C. Ferrer

We caught up with Ronalyn C. Ferrer, A Filipina 2nd officer sailing on the Wallemmanaged vessel the M.T. Dolviken. She talks about her career path with Wallem and the challenges of life at sea.

How long have you worked with Wallem?

I joined Wallem’s cadetship programme in the Philippines in 2011 and my shipping career began from there.

When did you first go to sea?

In 2012, I sailed as deck cadet onboard the Challenge Pearl, my first ship and first love!

What rank are you sailing at now?

I am presently sailing as a 2 nd officer on the Dolviken. This is my first contract as 2 nd Officer and I feel extremely blessed to be given such a big opportunity. I previously sailed as a 3 rd officer on other Wallem-managed vessels.

Why did you choose Wallem?

The reason behind choosing Wallem was that I knew from the time I completed my studies, that Wallem was actually the only company hiring female seafarers at that time. Fortunately I was accepted for the Wallem Philippines Cadetship programme.

What do you like about sailing with Wallem?

I know that Wallem doesn’t discriminate - the Company fully supports the future of female seafarers in the shipping industry. Wallem feels like family – the people you have sailed with, the people you meet along the way – the people are one of the reasons why I love Wallem.

What is the best thing about life at sea?

Going to sea has long been my greatest passion. Whenever I am at sea, I am at peace. And of course being paid to have this experience is a bonus. I believe that life at sea gives you so many unique experiences that you would not get working in any other field. And of course the people – those you meet and sail with, those who give you support and share their knowledge and experience with you – that is really one of the best things about life at sea. My life at sea is not perfect but I can say that life has been a rollercoaster ride, an exciting and worthwhile rollercoaster ride.

What is the toughest thing about life at sea?

The most difficult thing is being away from family; especially when you’re feeling down and the one thing you need is a hug from your parents. That’s one of the hardest things for sure.

What do you miss the most?

I miss my parents and my pets the most. And the food of course. I don’t go out much in the Philippines so I miss my own bed and my favourite TV shows.

Do you have much contact with other female seafarers?

Honestly, before I began this career, I didn’t know any other female seafarers. And that was one reason I was attracted to this career – I was challenging myself to be successful in a male-dominated field. As time has gone by I have met some fellow female seafarers - in school,

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“And for my fellow female seafarers: give it your best shot. Prove to everyone that you are where you are because you deserve it... Do not try your best but be the best.”

at Wallem, on social media… and yes we talk and share stories about life at sea. It’s also nice to know that in some parts of the world there are real opportunities to lead in this field. This makes me feel optimistic that one day it is possible for me to be a leader in this field with Wallem or in the Philippines.

What advice would you give to other female seafarers?

I always tell other people, not just other female seafarers, that you should work with your heart. You have to love this life in order for you to survive, and survive with a happy heart. You should be passionate about this kind of work and not just work for money.

And for my fellow female seafarers: give it your best shot. Prove to everyone that you are where you are because you deserve it. Never give anyone a chance to say that you aren't worthy of your position, because you’re not just representing yourself but every female seafarer in the world. Do not try your best but be the best.

As for me personally, I have made sure that no-one can say that I do not deserve what I have right now. I made sure that on every ship and in everything that I do, that I have given 100%.

Everyone that I have worked with can testify that I worked my way up in the right way and not just because I am a girl.

What are your future ambitions?

I passed my Chief Officer exam in December 2017. I have always wanted to become a Chief Officer. I love calculations, the operations - I love the work of a Chief Officer. And I am trying my best to learn more. I also want to be a vetting inspector and have my own training center for seafarers. Dreaming to become a Master will come maybe when I become a Chief Officer. But as of now, I am set on becoming a Chief Officer.

Mentorship & Support

We have set up a new channel to give a voice to our female seafarers. A dedicated team of female shore staff are on standby to answer questions, provide support and mentorship. (Our male seafarers are also welcome to contact the team for questions on how to support their female colleagues)

CONTACT US womenatsea@wallem.com

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Supporting an Inclusive Culture

Kevin Menon, Clinical Psychologist and author of Wallem’s wellness@sea programme

talks about why diversity matters, how it involves and affects all of us and how Wallem supports diversity and inclusion.

Kevin Menon

Kevin leading a workshop on wellness and diversity

According to Kevin Menon, diversity in an organisation as a whole is important because it encourages growth, allows for the incorporation of more ideas, fosters creativity and innovation and allows for tapping into a wider talent pool. Gender diversity is important because any organisation that moves towards gender diversity takes one more step towards an inclusive culture which allows for new ideas and approaches that may create a competitive edge.

He explains, “Diversity goes beyond gender issues and encompasses the whole gamut of how all of us are different. We need to recognise that everyone is different beyond the artificial preconceived groups or categories they are placed in and that different does not mean bad. Organisations that are able to draw on these differences by fostering an inclusive culture will always be stronger, more competitive and more innovative.”

Kevin points out that it has been shown that the culture onboard a vessel can drastically affect a seafarer’s wellness. “Fostering a positive and supportive culture at sea promotes wellness, mitigates risks and builds overall productivity,” he adds.

Wallem has long had policies around equal opportunity on and off shore and operates ships with diverse crews. Wallem’s seafarers comprise of a range of different nationalities and genders. The company is committed to ensuring a positive, inclusive and supportive atmosphere onboard.

Kevin goes on to explain that Wallem encourages discussion on the subject of diversity at Fleet Officers meetings as part of its commitment to ensuring a positive, inclusive and supportive atmosphere onboard. The company is bringing more light to topics such as gender intelligence (learning to appreciate the differences, attitudes and behaviours that distinguish men and women) and unconscious bias (stereotypes which shape our perception and behaviour).

Kevin explains that the subject of diversity was formalised and incorporated into Wallem’s dignity@sea programme when it was put together in 2016. He explains, “The premise behind dignity@sea is all about building the awareness and tools required to foster a culture of respect, acceptance and inclusivity; as well as reducing discrimination, bullying and harassment.”

It has been shown thatthe culture onboard avessel can drasticallyaffect a seafarer’swellness.

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