Maritime
Damen’s Head of Communications,
Sylvia Boer, has recently been
appointed President of the
Netherlands chapter of WISTA – the
Women’s International Shipping and
Trading Association. WISTA the
Netherlands was founded in 2000
and currently has 140 members
from across the maritime industry.
Damen
strengthens
female
presence in
the maritime
industry
Credits: www.damen.com
S
ylvia, who has been a WISTA member since 2008 and
joined the organisation’s board in 2013, said, “I am
honoured to take up this position as President of
WISTA in the Netherlands. Within the role I will strive
to connect women in the maritime industry, helping
them to expand their networks and skills, encouraging
them to inspire each other in their careers by sharing
thoughts and advice – to make a difference with a
feminine touch in a man’s world!”
WISTA the Netherlands focuses on a number of
priority topics affecting the industry. Amongst these
are sustainability, new technologies, big data, health & safety, cyber
security, block chain, developing cultural sensitivity and last, but by no
means least, clean oceans.
WISTA has 3,000 members in 40 countries from diverse maritime-related
organisations including ship operators, shipyards, equipment suppliers,
brokers, banks, insurance specialists, legal experts and training and
research institutes. Its chapters around the world aim to support women
in the industry via such means as regular meetings, workshops,
presentation speeches and company visits.
Last month, one such visit took place in Sharjah, when WISTA UAE
visited Albwardy Damen. Present at the event was HRH Princess Sarah Al
Saud, Director of Maritime Business Development and the International
Forum for Maritime Transport at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology
16
and Maritime Transport.
Speaking at the event, Albwardy Damen MD Lars Seistrup said, “We
believe that women’s participation is important to this industry. The
maritime community should believe in the talent of women and in their
ability to accomplish tough jobs within our sector. This can be achieved
by equipping them with the right education, training and skills.”
www.
damen.com
WISTA has 3,000 members in 40 countries
from diverse maritime-related organisations
including ship operators, shipyards,
equipment suppliers, brokers, banks,
insurance specialists, legal experts and
training and research institutes. Its chapters
around the world aim to support women
in the industry via such means as regular
meetings, workshops, presentation speeches
and company visits.