The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has released its first publication on diversity and inclusion (D&I) in the maritime industry to aid businesses and organisations with best practice and guidance.
The ‘Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit for Shipping’ provides resources and guidance to enable maritime businesses to introduce and embrace policies and take a positive approach to D&I issues, with the ultimate goal of boosting business efficiency and improved performance.
It has been developed by the ICS to create greater awareness of D&I and inspire change in strategies, policies and practices to support the maritime industry in addressing the needs of the diverse global community it employs, both at sea and onshore.
“Effective implementation of D&I policies can help shipping companies to recruit from a larger pool of people, retain skilled staff for longer and motivate them more effectively, as well as help to improve relationships with customers and the wider world. A diverse workforce can be a company’s strongest asset,” said ICS secretary general Guy Platten.
Sanjam Sitara of Sitara Shipping, who founded the Women in International Shipping Trade Association (Wista) in India and is on the board of Wista International, believes the toolkit deals with all the important issues and gives vital guidance. “We need to focus on the business case for diversity, and we’re at the stage where everyone is talking about diversity, but unless we do studies and prove there’s a business case for it, I don’t think we will see change. Pushing for more women leaders from all backgrounds is vital and will automatically accelerate the change.”
For more information and to order the publication visit: https://publications.ics-shipping.org
