“Women on the command bridge”: Taranto celebrates World Maritime Day by participating in the national flash mob presenting the book by WISTA Italy.

PORT OF TARANTO, 20 SEPTEMBER 2024 - On 26 September 2024, at 6.00 p.m. at the Agorà of the “Pietro Acclavio” Library in Taranto, the Port Network Authority of the Ionian Sea - Port of Taranto is promoting, in synergy with WISTA Italy, the event for the presentation of the book “Donne sul ponte di Comando” (Women on the Command Bridge) by Mursia, for celebrating the first 30 years of the Association. 

The presentation will take place simultaneously in the main Italian ports, through a true literary flash mob promoted by the members throughout the national territory. The event in Taranto is proposed as a chance for spreading awareness - primarily among the Ionian port cluster - about the role of women in the maritime sector, coinciding with the World Maritime Day promoted by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO). The initiative aims to contribute, in a concrete and participatory way, to reducing the gender gap also in the port and logistics sector, with a view to supporting the development of women's work full potential in the maritime community.

Greetings will follow from the main local institutions and an introduction by Monica Golino from the Acclavio Library - Gi.U.Li.A. Journalists. The following journalists will be speaking: Cristina Gargano, Head of the Technical Section of the Taranto Harbour Master’s Authority, Rosa Maria Conte, Vice President of Apulia’s Airports, Simona Coppola, from Garbarino Law Firm, Ivana Melillo, Energy Efficiency Director of Grandi Navi Veloci and Maria Busuioc, First Deck Officer at Carnival Cruise Line. The conclusion of the event is entrusted to Laura Cimaglia, Member of WISTA Italy and Director of General and International Affairs at the Port Network Authority of the Ionian Sea - Port of Taranto. The event will be moderated by journalist Angelo Di Leo.

“Donne sul ponte di comando. Trent’anni di storie delle professioni del mare” (Women on the command bridge. Thirty Years of History and Stories of Women Professionals of the Sea) talks about the other half of the sea, that of the women working in shipping, trading and logistics. It is a choral book written by multiple authors that spans 30 years of maritime history through the eyes of the few (but far from less important) women who have been part of it. In "Donne sul ponte di comando” (Women on the Command Bridge) there is the history of the Association and the stories of women professionals of the sea who have managed to carve out a niche in a sector traditionally closed to women. Shipowners, maritime agents, captains, terminal operators, brokers, shippers, lawyers, accountants, entrepreneurs, journalists, trainers, Port Network Authority managers, talk about the other half of the sea, the female half, and how it contributed and is still contributing to the development of the Blue Economy. Women from different generations who share passion, determination, competence and two goals: closing the gender gap and inspiring other women to start working in the maritime field and rise to the command bridge.

The Port Network Authority of the Ionian Sea promotes numerous projects and events that see, both in the port and urban areas, gender and equal opportunities issues as key elements capable of generating virtuous processes of cultural, social and professional emancipation. These initiatives aim to promote a comprehensive paradigm shift, in light of the emerging need to emphasise the priority of collaborating and preventing any prejudice or act of violence, whether physical or related to economic and social inequality and disparity.

Event programme is attached.