Breakbulk Middle East empowers women in the maritime sector

Since its launch 5 years ago, the Breakbulk Middle East conference has sought to play a prominent role in enhancing the participation of women in the main fields of the maritime industry, as it is the leading event in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries for the bulk cargo and large equipment shipping sector.

Breakbulk Middle East Event Participants

The event which will be held from 9 to 19 February 2021, will witness the participation of several women who occupy leadership positions in the maritime industry as part of the “Women Break Bulk” initiative, as it attracts distinguished women professionally in the sector and provides them with care in achieving their aspirations and empowering distinguished female talents to succeed and advance a career.

The event which is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and with the support of Dubai Ports World sheds light on important issues in the industry, including the role of women in the maritime industry, as the event deals with many things, including working to reduce the differences between males and females in the sector because experiences females can help boost and develop the industry.

Her Royal Highness Princess Princess Sarah Al Saud, Director of Maritime Business Development at the International Forum for Maritime Transport at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport in Alexandria, and ambassador of WESTA Emirates said: Men dominate the shipping and maritime transport industry for mega projects, but many women have broken this. The barrier, entering the field and gaining a great appreciation, and women with experience in this field contribute to achieving economic prosperity globally. For that, we need activities such as Break Block in the Middle East, which is a meeting point for women to share their professional experiences and advise each other in order to enhance the inclusion of women in the sector and benefit Of their abilities.

Breakbulk Middle East empowers women

Eng. Hessa Al Malek, Adviser to the Minister for Maritime Transport Affairs at the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure and President of the Arab Women’s Association in the Maritime Sector said that women have always had a contribution to all aspects of our maritime industry and many women have occupied different roles in several sectors, and today diversity and inclusion are the main motives for the development of the global maritime industry, and in this aspect, women play an active role in reshaping industry perceptions in logistics and maritime services. The Breakbulk Middle East Conference and Exhibition is a great platform to facilitate discussions about the industry’s role in encouraging young women to choose maritime professions.

In recent years, women in leadership roles in all business sectors have exploded. The report Women in Business 2020 published on the Grant Thornton website showed that the percentage of women in management positions has risen to 29 percent. The report also mentioned that 87 in One hundred percent of global middle-market companies have at least one woman in senior management positions in 2020, yet this figure drops dramatically in the marine sector, as the total number of maritime forces in the world reaches 1.2 million seafarers, of which women make up only 2 percent.