Women take up maritime course

SIX women are charting a course in the maritime sector under a continuing partnership between Australia Awards Papua New Guinea and Steamships-Swire consortium that is building practical skills and supporting gender equality.
The Australia Awards Maritime Scholarships recently announced its third cohort of awardees since its launch in 2018.
Three of the awardees will undertake deck cadet training, studying for officer of watch deck, and the other three to undertake engine cadet training – for officer of the engine room.
Since 2018, 26 PNG women have been awarded the maritime scholarship.
The scholarships involve academic study at the PNG Maritime College in Madang and sea time and training supported by private sector partners Steamships-Pacific Towing and the China Navigation Company, a member of the Swire group.
The emphasis is on equipping participants with the academic and practical skills to forge a maritime career and contribute to
positive cultural change in the sector.
Katrina Komboi, 27, who is one of the six selected scholars, said encouraging more women to be part of this sector was an important step.
“Women can contribute to the maritime sector on so many levels and having a diverse working group creates avenues for both male and female colleagues to learn to respect each other and work together as a team,” the mother of three said.
The six awardees started the first phase of their studies at the PNG Maritime College this month, with sea time due to commence later in the year.
Pacific Towing general manager Neil Papenfus congratulated the six scholars and encouraged them to make the most of the training opportunities ahead.
“The international sea time on China Navigation Company vessels in particular will equip them for a rewarding maritime career and bring diverse experiences to the sector,” he said.
“At Pacific Towing, we believe it’s important to support the economic empowerment of PNG women through the Australia Awards Maritime Scholarship programme but we’re also very much aware of the considerable contributions these women will make to our business.”
Australia Awards Maritime Scholarships are funded by the Australian government, in partnership with a consortium of Steamships, Pacific Towing and China Navigation Company.
The scholarships contribute to workforce development and gender equality in the transport and maritime sector.