By Steve Agbota
The Women Commission, Senior Staff Association of Shipping, Clearing and Forwarding Agencies (SSASCFA) has called on women in the maritime sector to embrace technological advancement to excel in the male dominated industry.
To this end, the association had flagged off campaign to empower females in an automated technological driven maritime era.
Speaking at the association’s maiden seminar held in Lagos, with the theme, “Navigating New Horizons: Empowering Women In The Digital Maritime Era,” Women Leader of the Trade Union Congress (TUC) affiliate association, Comrade Bassey Okeya, said that in today’s rapidly evolving wold, technological innovations have become the driving force behind progress and transformation in every industry, including the maritime sector.
“Today, we have the privilege to showcase automation and digitalisation to Internet of Things (IOT), Artificial Intelligence (AI) Machine Learning (ML) and Blockchain, these technologies have already begun to transform the industry, enabling us to overcome challenges, optimize operations,and ensure sustainable growth. Women ,it is time to check our excesses and weakness,we must support each other, this should be our watchword,” she said. According to her, the maritime sector, with its vast network of shipping, clearing and forwarding agencies play a crucial role in global trade and connectivity.
She added that that it is an industry that demands efficiency, adaptability male dominated field , thus has become a testament to the talent, determination and resilience of women.
Expressing satisfaction on female’s contribution to the growth of the maritime sector in a technological driven era, she hinted that women have been exploring at the forefront of developing and implementing automation solutions , leveraging on IOT devices and sensors, harnessing the power of AI and ML algorithm and exploring the potential of blockchain technology.
She noted that the SSASCFA Women Conference marks a significant milestone in the journey towards harnessing the power of technological innovations in the maritime sector, even as he called on female players in the industry to showcase and maximize their potentials in furtherance to mapping out strategies to revolutionize the nation’s shipping sector.
Meanwhile, the President General of SSASCFA Comrade Harrison Asonye called on Women in the maritime industry to break barriers associated with their day to day running at work and unlock the stereotypes performance.
He said that the maritime industry has long been recognised as a male-dominated field, saying that empowering women in the industry is not just an imperative but catalyst for growth, innovation and sustainable development.
According to him, women bring a unique perspective, unparalleled resilience and invaluable skills to the table, making them indispensable contributors to the success and progress of the maritime sector.
He said the digital age has ushered in a new era of opportunities and challenges, adding that it is crucial to equip women with tools, knowledge and skills required to navigate these new horizons.
“Women , it is time to check our excesses and weakness,we must support each other ,this should be our watchword. The maritime industry is predominantly dominated by male but women are breaking more barriers, excelling in various subsector of the industry with giant stride stories recorded as achievements,” he said.