"Vast career opportunities do exist for women in South Africa's maritime sector - especially as approximately 90% of world trade is transported by sea, and the high volumes of cargo that move through South Africa's harbours and ports. The maritime industry is a robust national asset, and in order to guarantee a healthy and productive future for it in the country, industry leaders need to promote careers within the sector to women, and afford them with the opportunities to grow, network, inspire and be inspired."
She says that it is therefore up to the maritime industry to make a concerted effort to support and uplift women when it comes to achieving representation within the industry. "Who better to promote the industry than the people who are in it? As a seafarer, I believe that it is my responsibility to promote careers within the maritime industry and to inspire young women to choose this as a career," she says.
After being awarded a bursary by Safmarine - a member of Maersk Group - following her studies at Lawhill Maritime Centre, Klaasen went on to become a marine engineer. She currently holds the rank of third engineering officer for Maersk Line and is responsible for various equipment, such as all the auxiliary engines, all boilers and all main engine top mountings in the engine department, in addition to day-to-day watch keeping duties. She only has a few more months of sea time left before qualifying as a chief engineer.
