The bunker industry’s senior female executives discuss the importance of gender quality in the maritime sector

The maritime sector’s bunker industry is, as expected, a male dominated one. Women make up just 9% of executive positions. LQM Petroleum Services aspire to challenge the system by supporting an equality ratio of 50% across global operations in the USA and Europe.

Of the 2000 plus employees in the bunker sector as a whole, women make up only 26%. Disappointingly, of that 26%, approximately 15% fall into the lower level roles according to research from Advanced Resource Management (ARM).

Female leadership in bunkering was recently discussed at an LQM webinar by a panel comprising of four senior women: Unni Einemo (Director of IBIA), Isabela Tatu (Consultant for TMA), Jenna Coles (Head of Maritime for ARM) and Sara Brady (Team Leader at AQM).

Sara recalled her introduction into bunkering as one that was quite intimidating.

 

I remember sitting on a board of directors with 15 men and it was scary because it’s hard to tell if they’re taking you seriously or not. Nearly two decades later, I’m going to the same board meetings and I’m so glad to see more women and female buyers

 

LQM’s Chief Executive Daniel Rose, strongly advocates their 50% gender equality ratio as something absolutely essential for the future. He explains that in his experience, equal gender balance has been of huge, positive importance.