Shipping Lines : Rainbow containers welcomed in Europe

Following Los Angeles and Yokohama, Rotterdam and The Netherlands now welcome Maersk’s rainbow containers, celebrating diversity and inclusion in the maritime and port logistics sectors.

In May 2021, Maastricht Maersk arrived at APM Terminals Maasvlakte II in Rotterdam, carrying on board two iconic Maersk containers, painted skillfully with a rainbow to celebrate diversity and inclusion. The Rainbow containers were displayed at APM Terminals Maasvlakte II until 16 May, giving the employees of the terminal and of other A.P. Moller – Maersk brands a chance to sign the inside of the boxes, as a symbol of their own personal commitment to diversity and inclusion.

One of the first ones to do so was APM Terminals Maasvlakte II Managing Director Jan Buijze, accompanied by representatives of Maersk and Hamburg Sud.

Shine your true colors

Representing APM Terminals’ global leadership team, CFO Katja Otten commented: “We are very proud to welcome these rainbow containers in yet another APM Terminals location, following Los Angeles and Yokohama, as part of their world tour. As a company, we deeply believe in the right of all our employees to be who they are and shine their true colors. The principles of diversity and inclusion are deeply rooted in our corporate culture and as a global organization, we have guided by them also in attracting and developing our talents.”

Pieter Strijland, Area National Sales Manager in North West Continent Area added: “Personally, I’ve had the experience of working with great diverse teams within Maersk, which has brought me so much value, joy and knowledge, apart from achieving great results. As we bring this to the attention with the rainbow containers and share this experience with others, I can only hope that more companies will follow us on this journey.”

Personally, I’ve had the experience of working with great diverse teams within Maersk, which has brought me so much value, joy and knowledge, apart from achieving great results.

Pieter’s views are also echoed by Albrecht Meeusen, North West Continent Area Managing Director for Hamburg Sud. “Two rainbow containers filled with personal wishes and commitments from around the world is such a powerful way to portray our company value. It might seem small, but it means a lot to many”, shares Albrecht.

Employee commitments

Our colleagues were encouraged to show their support towards diversity and inclusion, sign the container, and share their photos using the hashtag #InclusionAllTheWay.

Nanneke Visscher, Customer Success Manager in Rotterdam shared: ”So proud to be part of this! ALL voices should be allowed to speak, ALL voices should be truly heard and ALL voices should equally count. Be the change!”.

“Open up”

The arrival of the rainbow containers to Rotterdam coincided with the popular Eurovision Song Contest, also taking place in the Dutch city and organized this year with a theme “Open Up”. On the initiative of the Port of Rotterdam, one of Eurovision’s partners, the 20-foot container was also placed at RDM Heijplaat – Rotterdam’s innovation district managed by the port authority. Once the location of Rotterdam’s dry dock, RDM is now the space for companies, education, and research, working together on innovations that contribute to a smart port.

“We wish Maersk all the best with their campaign. #InclusionAllTheWay is in the spirit of the Eurovision Song Contest, which is now taking place in Rotterdam. In fact, all shipping companies should pay attention to inclusion and diversity, especially on board of ships”, commented Tie Schellekens Port of Rotterdam spokesperson.

Grand finale in Copenhagen

Throughout the voyage of the containers, all those lucky enough to spot one of these rainbow boxes are encouraged to take a picture and share on social media platforms using the hashtag #InclusionAllTheWay. The containers will soon continue their journey to other ports in Europe (Bremerhaven, Felixstowe, Gdansk), celebrating diversity and inclusion along the way, with a grand finale in the Danish capital, where Maersk is the sponsor of World Pride, celebrated in Copenhagen in August.

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