Papua New Guinea has seen its first batch of female cadets begin their seafaring careers.
Five deck and five engine cadets have embarked on a four-month basic training tour aboard the 2,028-teu multipurpose vessel Szechuen (built 2014), owned by China Navigation Co.
The cadets are beneficiaries of a partnership with Australia and Steamships Pty Ltd, China Navigation and Pacific Towing.
“Women bring so much to an industry, and now it is time for the maritime sector to realise this value,” said Bruce Davis, Australian high commissioner at the programme launch in Madang.
In 2017, there were only seven (or 0.3%) of female officers among China Navigation’s sea staff.
Increasing diversity
But the Singapore-based company is working to increase diversity, said Simon Bennett of China Navigation general manager of sustainable development.
“We look forward to expanding this programme, once it has been shown to successfully mature.”
Selections for a second group of 10 women to study in the 2019 academic year are underway.
