Melina Bröske recently became the new contact person on the board of WISTA Germany. The Senior Broker Marine Claims became aware of the association through her employer, which sponsored WISTA’s International Annual General Meeting in 2021
How long have you been involved in shipping and how did you get into it?
Melina Bröske: I started a dual study program at a Hamburg shipping company in the summer of 2015 and since then I can’t imagine working in any other industry.
My decision to go into shipping certainly had something to do with the fact that I grew up on the Elbe river and loved watching the big ships on their journeys to and from Hamburg. The questions of why such a huge amount of steel floats at all and who makes sure that all the containers are in the right place, for example, definitely influenced my decision to enter the industry.
What does your day-to-day work look like?
Bröske: A colleague once put our job like this: “You always know how the day starts, but rarely how it ends”.
I work in the claims department at shipping insurance broker Georg Duncker and we handle all kinds of claims that you can encounter in the global shipping industry. This ranges from collisions and engine damage to cargo issues, so it always keeps you busy. As shipowners ideally rarely experience major damage, we provide support and assist with our network and expertise wherever we can when something does happen.
Of course, and fortunately, an “ever given” doesn’t happen every day, but it still remains exciting.
How did you find your way to WISTA?
Bröske: I became aware of WISTA when Hamburg hosted the Annual General Meeting of WISTA International in 2021. Georg Duncker was one of the sponsors for the event, which is why I was able to attend as a (still) non-member.
I liked the idea of more visibility for women in the industry as well as the network and the whole atmosphere at this international meeting so much that it didn’t take long for me to make contact and eventually become a member.
I recently joined the board as a contact manager and am looking forward to working together and being able to play an active role in shaping the organization.
When you’re not working, what keeps you busy?
Bröske: I find a good balance to my job in sport and also in live music. I love going to concerts, getting to know new bands and admiring how much you can get out of an instrument. I’ve been to almost every venue in Hamburg that has a stage, no matter how small.
What does “diversity in the world of work” mean to you?
Bröske: For me, diversity in the world of work means first and foremost that a position is simply filled on the basis of performance or experience and that everyone is given the same opportunities without being prejudiced. Every decision should be made regardless of gender, origin or sexual orientation and every person should receive the same appreciation for the same performance.
What is your contribution to diversity?
Bröske: I try to incorporate small comments or gestures into my everyday life to raise awareness of diversity among my fellow human beings, but of course also among myself, and to draw attention to prejudices.
Sometimes you catch yourself using a prejudice, but if you notice this and can reflect on it, it’s definitely a step in the right direction, because it remains a dynamic process.
What else could companies in the maritime industry do to achieve more diversity?
Bröske: There is often talk of quotas for women in order to create more diversity, but I don’t think this is a successful solution. I believe that this is even counterproductive, because it means that recruitment is once again targeted by gender and diversity is not just about gender. You should simply recruit and select completely objectively for all personnel matters, whether for vacant positions, projects or similar. Of course, this doesn’t just include gender, but also religion, ethnicity or sexual orientation.
Interview: Anna Wroblewski
About Georg Duncker
- Insurance broker for marine insurance
- Founded in 1870
Four locations worldwide: Hamburg (headquarters), Singapore, Houston and Rotterdam - 3000+ ships in the portfolio
About Melina Bröske
- 29 years old
- Has lived in Hamburg since her apprenticeship
- Completed dual studies at DS Schiffahrt (B. Sc. Maritime Management and Shipping Management Assistant)
- 2 years of experience as Operations Manager in the MPP area
- With Georg Duncker since 2020
HANSA and WISTA empower women in the maritime industry
As part of an exclusive partnership with the German Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association, HANSA regularly profiles a member of WISTA Germany e.V.
