Mersey to Belfast ferry operator Stena Line is encouraging women in Liverpool city region interested in a career in maritime to attend its ‘taster day’ in Birkenhead. Tony McDonough reports

Irish Sea ferry operator Stena Line is encouraging women to attend a careers ‘taster day’ in Birkenhead.

Stena is the operator of the Birkenhead to Belfast ferry service which operates from the Twelve Quays terminal on the Mersey. Its vessels Stena Edda and Stena Embla run up to two return services a day across the Irish Sea.

On Monday, October 23 the Swedish company will be holding at taster day at its Birkenhead headquarters for women who want to find out more about careers as a port services operative.

With women making up just 2% of workers in the global maritime industry, Stena Line is committed to increasing representation of women both at sea and on shore. It currently has equal men and women at group management level.

In 2021 the business recruited Lynette Bryson as its first first-ever female captain and said women hold the key to solving the shipping sector’s chronic skills shortage.

Its Birkenhead taster session is targeted specifically at women to give them an idea of what working at a port involves.

On the day, participants will hear about what it is like to work as a port service operative for Stena Line and receive a tour of the port. This will be followed by a tug master demonstration and they will have the opportunity to ask questions.

Ita Baird, port manager at Stena Line in Birkenhead, said: “We’re excited to welcome women from the area for a taster day to find out what working at the Port involves.

“We have been overwhelmed by the interest we have had already from women seeking to pursue a career in the sector.

“Port service operatives are a crucial part of our day to day running of the port. We have exciting plans for the port, and we’re looking forward to showcasing it as a great place to work and a rewarding career choice.”

The role involves mooring of vessels on arrival, loading and unloading ships, assisting passengers in boarding and disembarkation, and driving tug masters to deliver unaccompanied freight.

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Charlene Banda, people manager (Irish Sea) at Stena Line, added: “Historically, the maritime industry has been predominantly male, and Stena Line is actively seeking to improve female representation on our ships and at our ports.”

To find out more about working at Stena Line visit: stenaline.com/career

Spaces at this event are limited and registration is required. For more information visit Stena Line’s social channels – Facebook and LinkedIn.