by InTrieste
In a significant step for gender equality in the maritime industry, Samer & Co. Shipping, a leading logistics company in Friuli Venezia Giulia, has become one of the first companies in the region to receive accredited Gender Equality certification under the UNI/PdR 125:2022 standard. The certification was awarded by DNV, an independent global organization specializing in certification and risk management.
The achievement follows a rigorous year-long evaluation process that assessed the company’s commitment to diversity across six key areas: corporate culture and strategy, governance, human resources processes, opportunities for women, gender pay equity, and work-life balance. The certification signifies a growing shift in traditionally male-dominated industries like shipping, where gender equality has historically lagged.
“This is a significant milestone for our company,” said Lilli Samer, CEO of Samer & Co. Shipping. “It demonstrates our ongoing commitment to promoting an inclusive culture and supporting projects with a focus on equality and integration at every level of our organization.”
The company’s certification was formally presented in a ceremony at its headquarters in Trieste, highlighting not only Samer & Co. Shipping’s achievements but also broader efforts toward gender equality in the region. Renata Della Ricca, a representative of the Regional Commission for Equal Opportunities, was present to share the commission’s accomplishments in advancing equality in the workplace.
Massimo Alvaro, CEO of Business Assurance Italy at DNV, emphasized that Samer & Co. Shipping’s efforts reflect a commitment to sustainable development goals. “With the achievement of this certification, Samer & Co. Shipping is demonstrating a clear and measurable path toward Goal 5 of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, which focuses on gender equality. This is an approach that is deeply integrated into the company’s strategy and culture,” Alvaro said.
A Legacy in Global Shipping
Founded in 1919 and headquartered in Trieste, Samer & Co. Shipping has grown into a leading player in international logistics, with over 600 employees and subsidiaries across the Balkans and Central Europe. As one of the most important maritime agents in the Mediterranean, the company manages an extensive network of ro-ro vessels, intermodal trains, and freight operations that connect Europe to Turkey and beyond.
The company’s core services span four key areas: maritime agency and brokerage, terminal operations, international freight forwarding, and insurance-related services as Lloyd’s of London agents since 1932. Samer & Co. Shipping specializes in everything from heavy and oversized cargo handling to refrigerated storage for agri-food products and customs warehouse management.
The Future of Gender Equality in Maritime Shipping
While the logistics industry has made strides in increasing gender representation, significant gaps remain. The certification received by Samer & Co. Shipping not only sets a precedent for the sector but also highlights the importance of diversity in industries that have traditionally been slow to change.
At the ceremony, Anna Limpido, Regional Councillor for Equal Opportunities, presented her book “Quote Rosa” (“Pink Quotas”), co-authored with Alan Kovacic, which traces the activities of the Regional Commission for Equal Opportunities since 2021. The book offers an in-depth look at how policies aimed at gender inclusion can transform industries and institutions that have long been resistant to change.
As Samer & Co. Shipping moves forward, its gender equality certification signals a broader cultural shift within the company and the region. The path ahead may be long, but the company’s efforts reflect a tangible commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace—a message that resonates far beyond the port of Trieste.
