24 Women From Developing Countries Undertake IMO Virtual Port Management Training

More women are joining the maritime ranks in a variety of professions within the industry. To encourage this trend and with a view to continuing the momentum to empower women in the maritime community, IMO is supporting a virtual training course aimed at female officials from maritime and port authorities.

Twenty-four women from developing countries, with a focus on Africa, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and Least Developed Countries (LDCs), are undertaking a virtual Port Senior Management Programme, organized by the Galilee International Management Institute (GIMI) in Nahalal, Israel (24 November to 21 December).

Participants were from: Bulgaria, Cameroon,  Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Jamaica, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia, Nigeria, Philippines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Solomon Islands and Uganda.

According to a statement by IMO on Friday, over 12 sessions (22 hours), participants were provided with key information and updates on innovations in the port industry.  Subjects covered include global trends and advances in port development, management and operations; port security and efficiency in container terminals; and international law concerning ports and ships.

Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, the course programme had to be adapted from the usual in-person training. Site visits to the Israeli Maritime Training Authority in Akko and practical simulator exercises were not included in the course programme.

The event was delivered through IMO’s gender and capacity-building programme, in collaboration with GIMI.

It comes as part of IMO’s continuous efforts to support the UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. These capacity-building initiatives continue, through virtual training.