Costa Rican maritime industry opens doors for women sailing to success

• Women have gained ground on the maritime payroll in the last 10 years.
• APM Terminals Moín, always at the forefront, has created a new space for women: the APMT-Maersk Women's Network, which seeks to promote female talent and provide a psychologically safe space for all.

In a historic turn for the Costa Rican maritime industry, women are breaking barriers and defying stereotypes, women are sailing to success in leadership roles, transforming the waters of the sector with their talent and determination, which has doubled the number of positions currently held in this industry.

This transformation is evidenced in initiatives marked by companies such as APM Terminals Moín who, through the APMT-Maersk Women's Network, seek to empower female talent and provide comprehensive training opportunities. In addition, APM Terminals is represented in the National Port Women's Commission of Costa Rica and in the Latin American Maritime Authorities Women's Network (MAMLa Network), based in Panama City.

APM Terminals has an action plan in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), among which stand out #5 women's development and #8 fight against poverty, and being women who today hold the lowest ranking and lowest paid positions in global society, APM Terminals Moin, following the efforts of the group company Maersk, aims to attract, retain and develop female talent that can excel in the industry it represents.

"In APM Terminals there is a commitment to provide some spaces outside the organization and with a view to support the development and projection of women in the logistics, maritime and port environment. The company is making progress in operational issues inherent to the business and with human development in a comprehensive manner; since it is important to collect information from women in the sector and achieve some inclusive initiatives that benefit companies, men and women that compose them," said Lisbeth Thomas, Human Resources and Training Director of APM Terminals Moín.

To date, various training programs have been developed to promote the participation of women in the sector, with the work of the International Maritime Organization in this area being particularly noteworthy. In addition, campaigns have been implemented to raise awareness and promote gender diversity, with European countries being leaders in this area as signatories to international agreements that commit to increasing the presence of women in decision-making positions, offering quality jobs, and guaranteeing equal pay with men. Likewise, policies and legislation have been established to support the agenda of women in the maritime industry.

A woman's word

APM Terminals Moín works under a diversity approach aimed at increasing female talent in all work areas. The Moin Container Terminal has a participation of 112 women, 18% of its

total workforce, who work as crane operators, truck drivers, container yard planning managers and team leaders.

APM Terminals Moín's diversity and inclusion policy is one of the reasons why in 2020 it received, for the second time, the Gender Equality Label awarded by INAMU, which demonstrates the company's commitment to promote gender equity in the workplace, for which it follows an internal policy that seeks to achieve the closing of gaps.

"May 18 is celebrated as International Women in Maritime Day, and it is the ideal opportunity to remember that women are here to stay, and their contribution to the development of the maritime sector in Costa Rica is undeniable. Beyond inclusion, they are forging a sense of belonging and leadership that propels the industry to new frontiers," concluded Thomas.