In the fast-paced world of supply chain and logistics, International Container Terminal Services, Inc. (ICTSI) can help port users and businesses gain a competitive edge by providing real-time cargo visibility through the ICTSI App.
 
The ICTSI App is a secure operative tool that enables port users and cargo owners to monitor the status of their shipments that are loaded and offloaded from a vessel, and those that are hauled in or out of the port. Launched in 2022, the app lets users track their cargo at the Manila International Container Terminal and NorthPort – both in the Port of Manila, Subic Bay International Terminals in Zambales, Laguna Gateway Inland Container Terminal in Calamba, and Mindanao Container Terminal in Cagayan de Oro. 
 
The ICTSI App currently has close to 29,000 users and will soon be available for customers of Adriatic Gate Container Terminal in Croatia, South Pacific International Container Terminal and Motukea International Terminal in Papua New Guinea, Onne Multipurpose Terminal in Nigeria, and Matadi Gateway Terminal in D.R. Congo. 
 
“We understand the challenge businesses face when it comes to managing their shipments effectively. Our response is to develop an app that provides our clients with real-time data that could help them improve their logistics planning. By being able to track their shipments, our customers can generate data-driven insights to streamline their operations and lower their logistics costs,” explained Christian R. Gonzalez, ICTSI executive vice president. 
 
The ICTSI App has three main features that promote visibility and transparency – vessel monitoring, container tracking and truck tracking. 
 
The vessel monitoring feature lets users track the container vessel that’s transporting their cargo and receive updates on the expected arrival and departure from a port. It also provides insights on pre-advice, loading and payment cutoffs – information that would help businesses align their logistics activities accordingly to avoid potential delays.
 
Container tracking informs users of the real-time status of their containers from the moment they arrive at the port up to their departure. This helps cargo owners manage their shipments more efficiently to ensure they reach the end destinations as planned.
 
Using the truck tracking feature, businesses that rely on road transport can monitor their trucks from the moment they enter and until they exit the terminal. This information can be used to improve fleet management and streamline ground operations.
 
Each of these features lets the user create watchlists to monitor multiple vessels, trucks and containers, and subscribe to status updates to receive push notifications on important logistics milestones as they happen. The app lets users easily share these updates, along with other information, to other stakeholders via email and other messaging apps on their phones for
convenience.
 
“This app is a game-changer for port users and business who can leverage the transparency features to enhance their decision-making and improve their customer service. We are working to add new features and expand the app’s coverage to include other terminals in the ICTSI Group,” added Mr. Gonzalez. 
 
The ICTSI App is available for iOS and Android devices. Users can also access the web app using a computer.
 
ICTSI continuously adds value to its services by investing in new technology and developing digital solutions. Over the past decade, the company has invested more than USD20 million in information technology for its flagship Manila International Container Terminal alone. These investments have paid off during the pandemic by keeping the terminal operations running 24/7 despite the disruptions in the global supply chain.
 
ICTSI currently operates 32 terminals in 19 countries, and was recently named as the preferred operator for Durban Container Terminal Pier 2 in South Africa’s largest maritime port.

Well-known maritime software producer Spectral Technologies, Inc., is launching a web-based software for assessment of seafarers called Maritime Assessment System or simply MAS. 

Spectral has further established a partnership with local Consultancy company Techmarine Asia Ship Management, Inc. to long term provide and review multiple choice questions to ensure these are relevant, correct and of good standard. 

The MAS question data base is large and is in May 2023 divided in more than 70 subjects and likely to expand further. Manila-based Spectral specializes in the production and sales of softwares related to management of ships and seafarers. 

The client base goes well beyond the Philippines and shipping companies in countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, Germany, Greece, Cyprus, Ukraine, Poland and Italy are using its products. 

The Spectral product line covers areas of Crew Management, Crew Payroll, Crews Work and Rest Hours, Electronic Log Books, Planned Maintenance and now Crew Assessment. 

Techmarine Asia Ship Management, Inc. (TMA) is a dynamic and progressive company based in Makati that focuses on providing services to the maritime industry through technology-driven innovation and strategic partnerships. 

The company has collaborated with various sectors of the economy to offer a comprehensive range of technical skills for the development, operation, and administration of maritime trading, logistics, and transportation trades. 

TMA is backed by an extensive experience in international consulting and global maritime services and therefore well-equipped to help its clients achieve their goals and stay ahead of the curve in an ever-changing industry.

It was no ordinary event —  gathering 24 empowered women in maritime all over the world from eight regional networks of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) almost immediately as the United Nations (UN), through the World Health Organization (WHO), officially lifted the pandemic. The atmosphere at the Meeting Hall of the IMO in London was euphoric; joining them face to face for the first time after almost 5 years —  to see old friends from the Women in Maritime Asia (WIMA) networks and make new ones towards the end of the Conference was a magical experience at the least.  

Currently in its second year, the IMO celebrates May 18 as International Day for Women in Maritime to recognize their contributions to the maritime industry and to provide more opportunities for women's visibility.  During the IMO Assembly's thirty-second session, resolution A.1170 (32) on "International Day for Women in Maritime" was adopted, proclaiming 18 May every year as the IDWM.  The Conference held at the IMO Headquarters in London last May 18-19 adopted the theme “Mobilizing Networks for Gender Equality.”

Through a coordinated approach at the national, regional and global levels, the goal is the incorporation of women into the maritime industry, provide support in the development of their careers and growth into leadership roles, and create a more diverse and inclusive work culture in the maritime sector.

Marking the special DAY OF or FOR WOMEN in maritime generated some friendly exchanges at the onset — finally submitting to the goal of dedicating THE day FOR and not OF women. Engagement and ownership are critical components of any paradigm shift, especially on the road to promoting UNSDG 5 Gender Equality.

WIMA ASIA, one of the regional networks re-established in 2017 participated in the IMO Global Conference headed by the Philippines, with Malaysia and Timor Leste Presidents of the national chapters.  To date, the IMO has established eight WIMA networks under the Women Programme, with two in Asia-Pacific, three in Africa, Arab States, the Caribbean, and Latin America. While the pandemic or health crisis all over the world barred the holding of physical Conferences and activities, seriously impacting the mental health of different sectors with women and children as the most vulnerable sectors — the latter still emerged resilient over the many damaging effects of the pandemic taking a toll on many lives.  All these were a result of the positive and engaging reports provided by the heads of all WIMA networks invited to the Conference.

“The Road so Far“ for WIMA networks, despite and in spite of the pandemic challenge is excitingly packed with various activities for capacity building focused on mentorship for leadership roles, technical competence enhancement training to adapt to the fast-changing developments in green shipping, engagement with more partners in the region such as MEPSEAS (Marine Environment Protection in Southeast Asian Seas) and Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation for Seafarers Excellence (APEC SEN) including the establishment of new National chapters with WIMA in Republic of Korea as the most recent addition in 2022 through WIMA ASIA. Clearly, support for the promotion of SDG 5 through collaboration and networking among groups and organizations within maritime and outside remains to be the key to sustaining the campaign to mainstream gender and maritime in a world still wanting of appreciation to the major role played by shipping in world trade.

Globally, women represent only 1.2% percent of the global seafarer workforce, according to the BIMCO/ICS 2021 Seafarer Workforce Report. Citing the first IMO/WISTA International Women in Maritime Survey, women comprise 29% of roles in the maritime industry, and around 20% of the workforce employed by IMO Member States, with only 14% of technical roles being held by women. There is really much to be done by the WIMA networks and their allies to improve not just the numbers but the quality of participation of women as well.

In the words of IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim addressing the Global Conference delegates during the IDWM event, “We need the best talent… and that means embracing diversity and ensuring that any barriers to participation are broken down. By investing in the future of women in maritime, we unlock a wealth of talent that will drive our industry forward.” 

Interesting conference sessions included IMOGENder Network discussion with the panel on "Leveraging the WMU/IMLI networks and mentorships and “Breaking the Glass Ceiling “that made a mark on the conference participants with representatives from the Member States following the statement of Africa’s first female dredge master who stood proudly in her master’s uniform, Capt. Lomndy Ngcobo, Ship navigator and founder of Global Maritime Youth Forum. “I wore my uniform today. I have claimed my captaincy. To a young star looking at me— she comes with natural hair and brown skin. I too can become a captain. It is not rocket science.” Such powerful and brawny words from this young female captain, a young mother who tagged along her supportive husband and bubbly girl in the conference.  We hope to have her in one of our future activities in WIMA ASIA and WIMAPHIL as she promised to connect with us to reach out to our female officers and address the technical skills identified as the most needed area for enhancement.

An equally exciting presentation was the “Men as Allies for gender equality” with Mr. Humberto Carolo, Executive Director, White Ribbon —  the world’s largest movement of men and boys working to end violence against women and girls. His virtual presentation highlighted the importance of breaking stereotypes to provide women with more opportunities for growth and address the marginalization of women in the shipping industry. Indeed, our campaign to promote SDG5 is not focused on the battle of sexes but on leveling off the field in the Maritime industry.

To close the two-day Conference, a working session was held on the development of a draft Global Strategy for the IMO WIMAs. The important document puts into place an institutional framework to incorporate a gender dimension into IMO's policies and procedures and deploy a strategic approach toward enhancing the contribution of women as key maritime stakeholders. It aims to provide wider access to maritime training and employment opportunities for women in the maritime sector and will be finalized for adoption in the 73rd session of the Technical Cooperation Committee in October 2023.  

During the pandemic health crisis, our WIMA ASIA national chapters focused on webinars, trainings and seminars on Bio-fouling Management & Invasive Aquatic Species, Coastal clean-up activities in the Philippines, Indonesia and Korea. Workshops on improvement of conditions and benefits for seafarers, surveys at port and marine environment protection activities were conducted across chapters in the region.

As WIMA ASIA Governing Council, the inclusion of our proposal to advocate for the collection of accurate disaggregated data on women employed in maritime administrations and other governmental positions is a welcome development. Valuable data like these play a crucial role in policy and decision-making for programs intended for development of women in maritime. This will be most helpful as well for the whole industry should this be applied across the industry with the full support of the private sector.

The Conference highlights include the announcement from IMO and Republic of Korea with a US$3M donation for the “SMART C Women” project dedicated to advancing gender equality by enhancing employment opportunities and fostering the career growth of women in the maritime industry across Asia-Pacific countries. SMART C stands for “Sustainable Maritime Transport Cooperation”. Online and field trainings, fellowships, global networking and information sharing are the target components of the project to advance women careers in related industries and possibly acquire new educational qualifications for new competencies in environmental and digital-technologies for emerging opportunities in the maritime sector.

With such great news welcomed by all delegates, we look forward to exciting prospects for women seafarers with more and bigger opportunities to grow and be empowered with new competencies and skills in tandem with their counterpart seafarers sailing and serving selflessly on board ships to bring safe, secured and uninterrupted trade and movement of people around the world.

IMO parallel event in the Republic of Korea on the International Day for Women in Maritime /Engaging Women Seafarers for Networking

In another event recently held last 14 June, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea together with the newly established WIMA KOREA invited WIMA ASIA to the 1st Parallel event for the IDWM celebration in Seoul, Korea.  

In attendance with this representation for WIMA ASIA was the Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, Cho Seung-Hwan, the IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim, the President Jeong Tae-soon of the Korea Shipping Association, Sohyun Jo, WIMA KOREA President and the first female Korean captain who was honored during the event.

Significant presentations on the following topics were made: “Collective Efforts for Gender Equality In the Maritime Affairs and Future Strategy * by the  Deputy Director of the Technical Cooperation Division in IMO,  “Mobilizing Global Networks for Gender Equality * by the President of WIMA Asia, “Entry Barriers against Women in Maritime and Improvement Measures * Commanding officer of U.S. Coast Guard A-activities Far East” and a Study on the Growth and Leap of Women in Maritime in Republic of Korea.

A moving and poignant moment struck the halls of Shilla Hotel in Seoul Korea with the chilling voices of the Children’s Choir who rendered local songs on love for environment and nature at risk. Another musical rendition showed the young faces of Korean cadets beaming with so much optimism and hope to be the future officers on board ships. I imagine myself in the company of equally hopeful and brave young Filipino cadettes of the maritime industry who continue to dream to sail and be officers like all other successful male seafarers who dreamed big and succeeded as professionals not just to financially provide for their families but exercise their worth as individuals and claim their place and niche in this world.

“Let us create more space for women to unlock their potentials.  grow and innovate. And let this space serve as a catalyst for change” — this is our shared vision for all.

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE SEAFARERS……

(Article by: Ms. Merle Jimenez-San Pedro, WIMA Asia President)