After finishing school, Simone Schepers was drawn to the sea. Since then, she has remained captivated by the maritime industry. Even ashore, as a Local Flag State Representative at Liberian Registry, she maintains a strong connection to the sea through her work.
How long have you been involved in shipping, and how did you get into it?
Simone Schepers: I actually stumbled into shipping more or less by chance. I come from inland and have no family background in this area, apart from a great desire to travel and a wish to discover new places. Shortly before my A-levels, I came across a folder about “nautical watch officers” at the career information centre, and I was instantly fascinated. That fascination has proven to be lasting – first at sea, and later in various positions ashore. For the past 14 years, I’ve been working as a Local Flag State Representative in Leer for the Liberian Ship Registry.
What does your professional day-to-day life look like?
Schepers: In my role, I act as a point of contact for all matters that our clients bring to a flag state, primarily of an operational nature – such as exemptions, technical questions, and interpretation of regulations. I also serve as an interface to the respective classification societies and port state control officers. I ensure that vessels flying the Liberian flag meet high safety standards and comply with all regulations, while also providing the best possible service to our clients. With the constant introduction of new laws and regulations, there is always something new to learn and to work on, which means I need to stay flexible and the job never becomes boring.
How did you get involved with WISTA?
Schepers: At the beginning of my career in shipping, I was completely unaware of WISTA, which is a shame, as there were even fewer women in the industry back then than there are now. That only changed when a WISTA subgroup was formed here in Leer, and fellow members were sought. Unfortunately, during the Covid pandemic, WISTA activity in my region was very limited, and due to family reasons, I rarely manage to attend events in Hamburg. That’s why I’m pleased that we now have a WISTA president from East Frisia in Germany, and I hope that we can further expand WISTA in northwest Germany in the near future.
When you’re not working, what keeps you busy?
Schepers: Since I have two school-aged children, I spend a lot of time organising our family life alongside my job. I still love travelling, and now I enjoy discovering the world together with my family.
What does “diversity in the workplace” mean to you?
Schepers: As a woman in the shipping industry, I surprisingly encountered very little prejudice on board – with the odd exception. Once a new crew had settled in on a voyage, gender no longer played a role. What mattered was competence.
However, I’m aware that I was lucky in this regard and that not all women have had such positive experiences. Here at LISCR, the proportion of women in our German offices has been significantly higher than that of men since I started working here, and many women are represented across all departments in our international offices as well. It’s a good feeling to know that even in a male-dominated industry like shipping, there are companies where everyone is given the same opportunities, regardless of gender.
What is your contribution to diversity?
Schepers: As the mother of a growing daughter, I think it’s important that children learn from an early age that diversity is enriching, and that people of all kinds contribute to society and the economy.
I always strive, in everyday life, to focus on individuals’ strengths, regardless of factors like gender or nationality, and I never tire of pointing this out in conversations. Being a member of WISTA supports this mindset, and it’s also wonderful to exchange ideas regularly with other women in the industry.
What more could companies in the maritime sector do to promote diversity?
Schepers: Diversity needs to be actively practised in companies – not just as a showpiece at special occasions, but as part of everyday work. This should be embedded throughout the company. One often gets the impression that many women are present at assistant level, but their numbers dwindle the higher up you go. A more balanced distribution would be desirable here. Options such as remote working, flexible hours, etc., can help families organise their lives more effectively, enabling everyone to contribute to the company’s success in a way that suits their individual skills and preferences.
About Simone Schepers
- Local Flag State Representative at the Liberian Registry for 14 years
- Previously sailed worldwide as an officer
- Married to a shipowner, mother of two children
About the Liberian Registry
- The Liberian Ship Registry was established in 1948
- Liberia is one of the leading flag states for tankers, container ships, as well as LNG and LPG newbuilds
- Liberia offers 24/7 customer support through a global network of regional offices and inspectors – supported by a video officer conferencing system
- Liberia is listed on the White Lists of all major Port State Control MOUs and participates in the US QUALSHIP 21 programme
HANSA and WISTA empower women in the maritime industry
As part of an exclusive partnership with the German branch of the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association, HANSA regularly features a member of WISTA Germany e.V.
