Women leaders in the maritime sector across Southeast Asia have just completed an intensive training program focused on green shipping technologies and digitalization, further advancing their roles in the industry. This 10-day course, hosted as part of the 2024 Korea Maritime Week, was organized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in collaboration with the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries under the SMART-C Women Project.
The training, held in Busan, attracted 18 female maritime officials, including five at the executive level and 13 in management positions. Designed to boost both technical and leadership skills, the program’s core mission is to promote gender equality and create more employment opportunities for women in developing nations, specifically targeting the ASEAN and Pacific regions.
Yeongjoo Baek, Project Manager of the SMART-C Women initiative, expressed high hopes for the impact of this training. “This experience will significantly contribute to the growth of these key women leaders in the maritime industry. We have already received overwhelmingly positive feedback from all participants from the ASEAN region. Next year, we aim to conduct both online and in-person training for five beneficiary countries in the Pacific,” she said.
Key topics covered in the training included women’s leadership, work-life balance, and personal branding. On the technical front, discussions were held on IMO’s 2023 strategy for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships, maritime regulatory frameworks, and digital advancements such as the Maritime Single Window (MSW) system.
Participants also gained practical insights through field visits to several industry-leading sites, including the Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology (KIMFT), the Korean Register (KR), HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, and the Busan Port Authority. These visits allowed the trainees to witness first-hand port operations and the latest in eco-friendly shipbuilding technologies.
To cap off the training, the women attended the 2024 Korea Maritime Week and participated in the 4th Women in Maritime Association (WIMA) Asia Regional Conference. During these events, they joined discussions on decarbonization and digitalization, alongside industry leaders and innovators pushing for a more sustainable future in maritime transport.
