WOMEN'S PARTICIPATION, A KEY ELEMENT IN MARITIME COMMERCE
While history has shown us that maritime transport has traditionally been a male-dominated sector, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a specialized body of the United Nations, has made a concerted effort to advance in this industry and help women to achieve a representation in line with the expectations of the twenty-first century.
In this regard, the General Directorate of the Merchant Marine (DGMM) through its General Director, Attorney Juan Carlos Rivera, has committed to the active participation of women in the administrative and technical mission. Ship management is one of the most complex business disciplines that includes a large number of processes, decision making and strategic cases that are performed by related managers within various divisions of land-based maritime organizations in the global market environment of the shipping industry.
In compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 agenda, specifically regarding Goal 5 related to gender equality, the DGMM has achieved a significant change that has resulted in greater diversity and inclusion of women at different levels. As a result, the Honduran Maritime Authority currently has 69% of women in leadership positions.
The workforce of the DGMM is composed of 48% of professional women. In 2017, the first woman was integrated to the Corps of Officers of Rector State, having already the presence of women in the maritime technical field, an area that for many years had been managed only by men.
The International Ship Registry Department was no exception, a department made up entirely of women professionals in the maritime field and with years of experience. The unconditional support of the DGMM was key to create a department that meets the requirements of a high quality service with a view to continuous improvement. A personalized service with 24-hour response times and the use of digital format with QR Code in the documents of international vessels facilitated the verification of legal and technical documents of vessels sailing under the Honduran flag.
The International Registry of Ships of Honduras does not adhere to rigid schemes of fixed rates, therefore, the new rates allow for important adjustments in the flagging of the international fleet, among others. The review of the documentation of the Seafarers and the issuance of the corresponding documents is coordinated in an expeditious manner.
The International Ship Registry proved to be fast, economical, simple and efficient, characteristics that were put to the test given the world economic and sanitary crisis caused by the pandemic. This forced to change the panorama of maritime navigation, transport and trade, so it was necessary and of great help, the innate skills of administration and crisis management that women possess. As a result, procedures, plans and programs were integrated in record time so as not to stop maritime commerce, with excellent results that were reflected in the registration of ships under the Honduran flag, certification and training of seafarers.
The General Directorate of the Merchant Marine was able to position women in key management and technical positions who proved their ability through their merits and efforts, as well as their virtues. These women have demonstrated that gender is not an impediment, that opportunities are given by capacity, motivation and effort and that betting on women's participation can be the best option in the maritime world.