The logbook is a weekly digest of human interest stories related to the transportation industry. This week: The shipping industry celebrates its first International Women’s Day, Leonard’s Express unveils its first of five patriotic trucks, and FedEx is helping milk banks ship breast milk to help address formula shortages.

IMO celebrates 1st International Women in Maritime Day

According to the International Chamber of Shipping, 1,647,500 seafarers work internationally on merchant ships. Surprisingly, only 2% of these seafarers are women.

This statistic, along with women’s ability to strengthen communities, the role of gender equality in promoting economic growth, and women’s potential to lead on issues related to health, education and the fight against discrimination, were cited as reasons why the International Maritime Organization (IMO) created an International Women’s Day in the Maritimes.

The inaugural event took place on Wednesday, followed by a virtual IMO symposium which looked at the need for more women in decision-making roles and leadership development for women in the maritime sector.

“There is still a gender imbalance in the maritime sector, but times are changing. It is recognized that maritime diversity benefits the entire sector. Maritime women are working everywhere to support the transition to a low-carbon, digitalized and more sustainable future. Let’s take this opportunity to celebrate the many women who contribute to the future of shipping: maintaining an engine on a ship, running a business, drafting a contract, inspecting a ship or chairing an IMO committee meeting,” said the IMO Secretary General. Kitak Lim.

To address inequalities in the maritime workforce, IMO strives to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 for gender equality. IMO’s first step was to draft a resolution in 2019 to recognize and work towards a 50% female workforce, signed by the Plenary.

Last year, the IMO also passed a resolution to make May 18 International Women in Maritime Day to raise global awareness of the issue.

The IMO website now offers information on various scholarships for women and women in maritime associations, as well as over 30 profiles of women in the industry to help attract and retain more women in roles. global maritime transport.

Leonard’s Express unveils patriotism-themed truck

Farmington, New York-based trucking company Leonard’s Express unveiled its new patriotism-themed truck at its headquarters on Wednesday to honor our country’s veterans just 12 days before Memorial Day.

The newly packaged Air Force truck has been awarded to company driver and Air Force veteran Keith Buchanan, who plans to use the truck for the next four to five years to transport cargo from the terminal. of the company in North Carolina.

“We admire the more than 100 experienced drivers who work for Leonard’s Express,” said Tim Owens, director of organizational development at Leonard’s Express. “These are our ‘boots on the pitch’. Their skill, maturity and character are truly remarkable. This program is one of the many ways we honor our veteran employees.

The trucking company plans to donate a total of five packaged trucks, one to a seasoned driver at each of its terminals in Farmington, New York; New Castle, Delaware; Eau-Claire, Wisconsin; Caldwell, Idaho; and Taylorsville, North Carolina, which was offered to Buchanan.

“Being selected to drive this truck honoring my branch of service and driving for Leonard’s Express – of which I am very proud – is the most incredible honor. Anyone who knows me will tell you that I ride for the brand and love my country. I always display my Air Force pride, and combining that with my passion for driving is a dream come true,” said Buchanan, who plans to showcase the truck at Memorial Day, 4 July and Veterans Day.

In addition to the gift of a wrapped truck, for every mile traveled by the five selected drivers over the next four to five years, or the lifetime of the owner, Leonard’s Express will donate 1 cent to a veteran charity selected by the drivers. The company expects to donate more than $25,000 over the life of the trucks.

“At Leonard’s Express, our support of the community, employees and customers is at the heart of our culture,” said CEO Ken Johnson. “It defines us as a company and as a great place to work. We support our veteran employees wherever possible and recognize their sacrifices in service to our country.

FedEx helps ship breast milk during formula shortage

As the country continues to face a shortage of infant formula, mothers are turning to milk banks for help. These facilities pasteurize and store breast milk to serve babies who are in life-threatening situations, many of whom are often born premature.

In a Washington Post article, Lindsay Groff, the executive director of the Human Milk Banking Association of North America which represents 28 milk banks, described a 22% increase in demand for breast milk since 2020 and that the banks in the group distributed over 9.2 million ounces of milk in 2021.

Groff said that in the past week alone, banks have seen a 20% increase in demand for breast milk.

“I suspect the desperation continues that the number could increase,” she told the newspaper.

Reports of the same phenomenon are occurring in the United States, as milk banks, including Nurturing Expressions in West Seattle and the Mid-Atlantic Mother’s Milk Bank in Pennsylvania, report an increase in demand for this vital food.

How do these donations work?

Mothers with an oversupply, often frozen, undergo rigorous donor screening. Once they pass the screening process, milk banks contact international shipper FedEx, who provide gel packs and dry ice, keeping the milk safe for up to 96 hours.

Interested in donating excess breast milk?

You can contact the milk banks mentioned in the story below:

Watch Now: Operation Fly Formula

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