Group plans to boost diversity in shipping

The Diversity Study Group is to take a barometer of all aspects of diversity across the shipping sector and establish centre of excellence to improve diversity via a survey to be available in November.

The study is being supported by a number of leading companies. It will be conducted through the autumn and the results will be available in November.

The newly formed DSG is dedicated to supporting diversity and inclusion within in shipping, including gender, ethnicity, age and regional differentiation. Founder members include Ardmore Shipping and Peninsula Petroleum.

Membership will encourage members to measure progress against industry standards, as well as supporting improvements in their own policies and practices.

“Armed with robust data and insights into diversity across a range of criteria, we can then benchmark progress and advise on the right actions to drive meaningful change,” said co-founder Heidi Heseltine.

“Companies that draw upon the full range of talents available to them by embracing diverse, inclusive workplaces are shown to outperform their peers and shipping is no different to this. Our goal is to not only provide a regular barometer of where diversity in shipping stands, but also to champion diversity and to provide expert support and resources to our member organisations.”

The deadline for participation in this year’s study is 25 September 2019.