"This is a milestone for the organization and a demonstration of its diversity commitments. The company is keen to hire and develop local talents and there is plenty of untapped potential since women in Saudi Arabia are qualified, willing and able to work," a company spokesman told Arab News over the weekend.

Mona graduated from King Abdulaziz University with a degree in European languages and translation, while Sara is a psychology graduate. Both are now part of the telemarketing team in Jeddah.

"Maersk Line has opened the door for my future," says Mona. "It is a wonderful development to be here at Maersk Line because working in Saudi Arabia can be a challenge, particularly for women."

Sara was motivated to work for a large global company and feels that Saudi women have a big role to play in the workplace. "We are looking to learn more skills and gain valuable experience from working alongside specialists," she says.

Sunil Joseph, MD of Mercantile Shipping Agencies Ltd., considers these appointments as a reflection of Maersk Line's commitment to providing equal opportunities for women. "This achievement gains more importance considering the relatively lower participation of women in the workplace in Saudi Arabia," he added.

Joseph, who was one of the speakers at the recent Saudi-Transtec conference in Dammam, mentioned that the shipping and logistics industry play a pivotal role in economic development by supporting trade and commerce.

"At a time when the Saudi economy is set to make a mark on the global economic map, the shipping industry can create further value by facilitating growth management."

He shared the global container demand and supply outlook for 2011 and illustrated how demand is expected to be lower than supply. The demand will grow faster in the event matured economies exit recession and improve their gross domestic product. As supply is expected to remain the same, he also shared the view that slow-steaming concepts in shipping will continue in 2011 and beyond, as it gives cost advantage to carriers while meeting global supply chain requirements.

The slow steaming was further illustrated by sharing the concept of running a ship at slower speed so as to minimize bunker consumption, while the transit time is maintained by adding more vessels to the rotation. This effectively makes fuel consumption more efficient and also takes away the excess supply of vessel from the market.

Joseph highlighted that the Kingdom's total container volume has risen by about 13 percent annually from 1998. The rising demand due to massive developments planned (up to $1 trillion worth of new projects over the next five to six years in the pipeline currently) will accelerate economic growth and develop Saudi ports at a par with some of the key regional players.

Joseph mentioned operational excellence, transportation capacity, equipment availability to move the export flows, development of the land bridge infrastructure and skill development in the young energetic Saudi population as the high focus areas.

Saudi Arabia has moved up fairly quickly from 62nd position to 13th globally in creating a good business environment as per the World Bank survey. Likewise, Saudi ports should soon become world-class entities with high reputation.

Maersk vessels called at Saudi ports 350 times in 2009. There are at least 450 calls scheduled for 2010, clearly illustrating the strategic value that Maersk has for the Saudi market and its economic development.