Sweden’s Furetank says its inclusive approach to female seafarers is paying dividends.
On International Women’s Day, the family-owned tanker company is celebrating having 12 senior female officers on board, as well as three ratings.
Furetank argues a balanced share of women and men in crews is an important factor for everyone’s well-being on board.
“Furetank has actively strived to attract skilled female sailors for many years: an effort which has paid off in many respects,” the company said.
Ailene Barrios is a crew member from the Philippines who joined the company as a student in 2008.
She has now advanced all the way to first engineer.
Barrios feels female colleagues are basically treated the same as men in an inclusive and welcoming working environment.
And chief executive Lars Hoglund said this approach benefits the welfare of the entire company.
“We all want women on board, it brings a more pleasant atmosphere on the vessels. As in all industries, a diversified workplace in terms of gender and cultural background is a good thing,” he added.
Hoglund believes that a company made up of similar people can only move in one way.
A round ball can roll many ways
“We want to shape a workplace with many perspectives represented, a round ball which can roll different ways and find new paths forward,” the CEO said.
Hoglund said a conservative view of shipping is that it takes muscles and strength to do the job.
“But today, working on board is mostly about technology and IT. The most important thing is that you are interested and committed to your work, no matter who you are. It makes us very proud to be perceived as welcoming towards women,” he added.
Furetank’s recruitment processes are entirely competence-based, without gender quotas.
But the aim of moving towards more balanced crews is self-reinforcing, the company argues.
When female employees testify that Furetank is a good place to work, even more women apply.
Furetank has also consciously worked on making family life easier, giving both mums and dads the possibility to take parental leave in a way that suits them.
