Port of Brisbane - PBPL celebrates #ChooseToChallenge at this year’s International Women’s Day event

SOURCE: PORT OF BRISBANE

Port of Brisbane Pty Ltd (PBPL) today celebrated International Women's Day, holding a morning event for the port community to recognise the valuable contribution of women in the maritime sector.

Around 100 guests – predominantly women from across the Port of Brisbane precinct – joined PBPL CEO Roy Cummins and guest speaker, PBPL General Counsel and Company Secretary, Jenny Draper, at the event. 

PBPL Chief Executive Officer, Roy Cummins, said the morning provided a valuable opportunity for women from across the Port of Brisbane community to come together, network and be recognised for their contributions.
 
"This year's International Women's Day theme is #ChooseToChallenge – asking people as individuals and collectively to help create change through challenging the status quo: to celebrate women's achievement, raise awareness against bias, and to take action for equality," said Mr Cummins.
 
"While over the last 12 months, COVID has changed much about the way we work and in how we come together, there is one thing that hasn't changed and it's the reality that, globally, women continue to be significantly under-represented in the port industry.

"In fact, according to the International Maritime Organisation, today, women represent only 2% of the world's 1.2 million seafarers and 94% of these are in the cruise industry.

"At the Port of Brisbane, we recognise there is a long path ahead of us as we strive to recognise and break down barriers to attracting women in the maritime sector and supporting equality for all, more broadly.
 
"We #ChoosetoChallenge the misconception that a maritime career isn't for women by working to raise the profile of our industry and attract more female candidates to our opportunities.
 
"We're creating opportunities such as our Marine and Landside Operations Cadetship Programs for Women, which will welcome two landside Port Operations Cadets in the next month. In fact, over the last two years we have doubled the level of female representation in operational roles in our business, however there is still a long way to go.

"We're also providing upskilling opportunities, with 30% of women at PBPL having taken up the challenge to grow their skills and capability by commencing study to obtain Certificate 4 or higher qualifications to support them to progress their career.

"While these are a source of pride for us at PBPL, they are merely early steps in a long journey that we are on.  We will not rest on our laurels when it comes to opening up more opportunities in the traditionally male-dominated maritime industry.
 
"Events such as today – which bring together women from across the port community – are a key part of that and on behalf of the Port of Brisbane, I thank all our guests for joining us.
 
"And most importantly, I thank the women who joined us this morning for your time and for your ongoing contribution to the success of the Port of Brisbane and Australia's maritime sector."