In an interview with Maritime Fairtrade, Guy Platten, secretary general of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), talked about a range of topics including gender equality and the balance between sustainability and business.

At the celebration of WISTA UK’s 50th anniversary on July 19, Platten received the Man of the Year award, recognizing his efforts to support and advocate for gender equality within the industry. In his speech, Platten emphasized ICS’s efforts in bringing more women to seafaring.

How do you feel about being awarded Man of the Year?

I am very grateful to WISTA UK for the prestigious award and truly honored. It is no secret that there is a lack of diversity within the shipping industry. We have approximately 1.8 million seafarers in our workforce and only approximately 2% of them are women – this needs to change and it is why the work of WISTA UK and supporting organizations are so important. 

By empowering women in maritime, tackling the gender leadership gap, and promoting diversity in the industry, we can push forward for a more sustainable and wholly inclusive maritime sector. There are already great initiatives in place to address this and I hope to see more in the future.

For me, this award is a reminder of the importance of the ongoing work to foster diversity and inclusion within the maritime sector. It is a call to action for all of us to continue to advocate for equal opportunities and representation, to mentor and support the next generation of leaders, and importantly to create an environment where everyone and anyone can thrive.

How does ICS contribute to the elevation of women’s status and to bringing more of them into the industry?

At ICS, we have placed significant focus on this area. Gender diversity is not just a moral imperative, but it just makes good business sense.

Encouraging more women to a career at sea will also help us to address one of the industry’s most pressing issues; the seafarer shortage. It is estimated that by 2026, we will need almost 90,000 additional trained seafarers to keep global trade moving.  As a former seafarer, with a daughter who is following in my footsteps as a master, I know that the maritime sector represents a great career. Now our task is to showcase this to other people. 

We recently produced two videos to help global recruitment campaigns. These two videos, titled “An Adventurous Spirit” and “Life after Sea”, have been created using first-party testimonials from seafarers and ex-seafarers speaking openly about what a career at sea entails and the longevity of a career in maritime respectively. As a former seafarer, I echo many of the positive experiences mentioned within these films, and I encourage everyone to watch them for themselves and to see the many female role models that are included. 

We must be an industry which welcomes everyone, regardless of gender, race, ethnic origin, nationality, disability, age, sexual orientation, or religion. We need to avoid restricting definitions of who can and cannot be a seafarer, with a particular focus on recruiting more women into our workforce. By doing this, companies can access a wider pool of potential employees. Half of the population are women after all. And by being inclusive, we can create a positive working environment that people want to be a part of. 

To help the industry on this journey, last year, ICS launched the Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit for Shipping. This toolkit was developed to create awareness and inspire change in the strategies, policies and practices that will enable the maritime industry to meet the needs of the diverse seafarer community. We hope companies can use this as a part of a package of measures to increase the diversity of our workforce.   

How should the media ensure accurate and fair representation of the career of a female seafarer?

All industries experience this but as shipping is a global sector with a media that is more global in nature than for other sectors, we have to perhaps work harder than most on ensuring there is clear information available. 

We must showcase the diversity that a career at sea and maritime offers, we are a unique industry and one that holds many positive opportunities. At the same time, we should not shy away from difficult discussions and the negative reports. By being open and transparent, that is how we can make this a better working environment for all.

Great steps have been made to tackle bullying and sexual harassment but more needs to be done. It is unacceptable that any person – male or female – be subjected to any form of harassment and I believe that we must continue to have open dialogue about the issues we face. Sharing best practices and lessons we have learnt along the way is how we can solve our problems. 

Why are companies struggling to balance accountability and business viability with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals? 

All sectors are struggling with this during times of transition and transformation. We have found that one significant barrier in industry achieving ESG goals is the complexity and ambiguity surrounding ESG standards and frameworks. With various guidelines and reporting requirements emerging from different organizations and jurisdictions, there is a degree of confusion and inconsistency, making it challenging to navigate and implement ESG initiatives effectively. 

Another obstacle is the perceived trade-off between sustainability and profitability. Some may hesitate to prioritize ESG considerations due to concerns about potential costs or operational disruptions. Additionally, in industries where short-term financial performance often takes precedence, there may be a lack of immediate incentives to invest in ESG measures. 

The global nature of shipping introduces additional complexities, particularly regarding regulatory compliance and stakeholder engagement. Some companies and organizations operating across diverse regions and jurisdictions must contend with varying environmental and social standards, as well as differing levels of awareness and expectations from stakeholders. 

Despite these challenges, there are also drivers pushing the industry towards greater ESG integration. Growing investor and consumer interest in sustainability, coupled with increasing regulatory pressures and reputational risks, are motivating factors for many to prioritize ESG considerations. Additionally, there’s a recognition that proactive engagement with ESG issues can lead to long-term resilience, enhanced brand reputation and access to new markets and partnerships. 

One crucial aspect of our role is to provide guidance and support in navigating the complex landscape of ESG frameworks. While we do not endorse specific options, we can offer educational resources to help industry understand the various options available and make informed decisions that align with their unique business needs and values. 

How should IMO support businesses on global regulations on ESG, fuel standards, and reporting requirements?

The shipping industry’s ESG journey often necessitates industry-wide support in various forms, including training, policy, and legislation. As the shipping industry progresses towards the IMO’s ambitious decarbonization goals, it’s crucial to ensure that industry is equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills. Comprehensive training programs are essential to equip seafarers and industry professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the complexities of new fuels and technologies.  

The Maritime Just Transition Taskforce has been established to support seafarers and their communities through the energy transition whilst driving forward maritime decarbonization. We are very much focusing on the human element of the transition, to make sure no one is left behind. Without a well-trained, diverse and motivated workforce we will not be able to deliver the ambitious goals to address the climate emergency.  

Supportive policies and legislation, aligned with IMO objectives and harmonization efforts, are pivotal in providing the necessary frameworks and incentives for industry-wide adoption of sustainable practices.

Photo credit: ICS. Guy Platten, secretary general, ICS.