2025 SAFETY4SEA Limassol Forum: Embracing adaptability on the road to transformation

Published on 19 Feb 2025

The 6th SAFETY4SEA Limassol Forum took place on Wednesday, 12 February 2025, at the Columbia Plaza, Limassol, Cyprus.

This forum is part of the event series by SAFETY4SEA fostering Sustainable Shipping by providing news, insights and platforms to share best practices on safer, smarter and greener shipping.

BSM’s HR Marine Director, Eva Rodriguez, joined the event’s panel discussion titled “Building the future maritime workforce” focussing on the relation between diversity at sea and the existing and future skill gap.

She argued that despite evidence on hand showing that diverse teams are outperforming less diverse teams substantially, many ship managers and ship owners struggle with diversity.

One of the reasons why diversification of the industry is not advancing quickly enough is fear.

Fear of diversity often comes from not being exposed to different people or ideas, or from anxiety about change. To overcome this, we need education, open conversations, trust, empathy and a willingness to embrace new perspectives. We need emotional intelligence and a harmonised culture between sea and shore. While technical skills can be taught in a classroom, emotional intelligence must be developed through experience, mentorship and real-world interaction. People skills are key to reducing isolation, conflict, bullying, errors, injuries, turnover and burnout.

Gender diversity in the maritime industry is just the start. The goal is to create an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered. This combination drives innovation, sparks creativity and cultivates a thriving workplace.

Without women on board the industry would likely continue to remain “unaware” about urgently needed change. Women are a catalyst for required developments in culture and behaviour. Without women, no one would admit that abuse of power happens, that working gear is not properly fitted and that minorities have a very challenging life and career advancement.

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