Today, the curtain fell on the activities of the Biofouling Workshop for Arab Women working in the maritime transport sector, WomenlnBioFouling, which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is hosting in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) GloFouling Partnerships. This is the first-ever workshop dedicated to women working in biofouling worldwide.
Biofouling for ships is one of the main factors for introducing invasive aquatic species. It is considered one of the world’s most significant threats to marine biodiversity. This qualitative workshop aims to develop and build the capacities of Arab women to implement the biofouling guidelines issued by the International Maritime Organization and reduce the transfer of invasive aquatic species.
Also, biofouling on the hull of ships increases the drag of ships and their burning of fuel, thus increasing the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. The workshop included a number of dialogue sessions and panel discussions to discuss potential solutions to increase opportunities for women in biofouling management, in line with the initiatives led by the International Maritime Organization, the GloFouling partnership project, and the biofouling TEST project.
It also identifies the most prominent challenges women face to contribute effectively to biofouling management, their central role in promoting environmental sustainability, creating economic value in the maritime transport industry, and supporting and enabling them to obtain equal job opportunities that achieve stability. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia participates in the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in activating initiatives and projects concerned with protecting the marine environment, especially the Red Sea region. It affects the maritime sector and the marine industry. One week before the International Day for Women in Maritime on May 18, this workshop exemplifies the importance of empowering women in the maritime sector
Source: Saudi Press Agency