To mark International Women’s Day Hutchison Ports’ Executive Director, Clemence Cheng met with UK Maritime Minister, Nusrat Ghani MP, to confirm the leading port operator’s support for the Women in Maritime initiative.

Speaking after a ceremonial signing of the Women in Maritime pledge in the House of Commons Library, Mr Cheng said:

“The maritime sector has traditionally been male dominated. Until only a very few years ago there were many roles in the UK ports sector with no significant female presence and women still remain under-represented in many areas. At Hutchison Ports we are committed to improving our gender balance. As well as developing recruitment campaigns specifically targeted towards women, we are reviewing employment practices to see how we can expand flexible working to an increased number of roles.”

Nusrat Ghani added:

“Our maritime sector keeps Britain thriving, but it’s missing out on a wealth of talent.

“I want to see more women enjoy a career at sea or on shore, and the Women in Maritime pledge is just one fantastic example of the progress being made in this space.

“It’s great to see companies like Hutchison Ports committing themselves and leading the way to bringing women into roles across their businesses, which will in turn help unlock even greater growth in the sector.”

Maritime UK’s Women in Maritime initiative addresses the lack of diversity in the UK maritime sector and asks organisations to make a pledge to tackle fairness, equality and inclusion at all levels throughout their business and the industry.


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Notes to Editors:

For further information, please contact Paul Davey, Head of Corporate Affairs, on Tel No: +44 (0)1394 602063 or E-mail daveyps@hpuk.co.uk / www.portoffelixstowe.co.uk

Hutchison Ports Port of Felixstowe is strategically located on the UK’s South East coast and within easy reach of major ports in North West continental Europe. As the UK’s first purpose-built container-handling facility, it is also the largest and busiest container port in the country. With three rail terminals, it also has the busiest and biggest intermodal rail freight facility in the UK. The latest phase of development, Berths 8&9, provides additional deep-water capacity for the world’s largest container ships.

Hutchison Ports Port of Felixstowe is a member of Hutchison Ports, the port and related services division of CK Hutchison Holdings Limited (CK Hutchison). Hutchison Ports is the world’s leading port investor, developer and operator with a network of port operations in 51 ports spanning 26 countries throughout Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, the Americas and Australasia. Over the years, Hutchison Ports has expanded into other logistics and transportation-related businesses, including cruise ship terminals, airport operations, distribution centres, rail services and ship repair facilities.