Associated British Ports (ABP) has introduced an emergency menstrual health beneit for its employees in maritime environments.
The Scarlett Box is a compact, hygienic and fully equipped emergency menstrual care kit. ABP’s employees will be able to access essential products in sealed packaging to ensure safety and hygiene at sea.
As well as being water-resistant, it has been designed to address a gap in crew welfare and inclusivity within the industry.
Southampton will be the first port in ABP’s portfolio to roll out The Scarlett Box.
In 2025, ABP rolled out a group-wide initiative to ensure sanitary products are available across all its landside facilities, including offices and quay-side locations. It is now extending this to crew members in marine environments, where access to products can be limited, as part of a recognition of the challenges faced by women on vessels.
The Scarlett Box was unveiled to the public by its founder Scarlett Barnett-Smith, a deck officer at DFDS Ferries, at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency’s event at London International Shipping Week 2025.
Tim Morris, group head of corporate communications at ABP, said: “We are proud that ABP and Southampton is leading the way in introducing The Scarlett Box. Empowering women in maritime is important for the future of our industry, and practical solutions like this make a real difference. This initiative reflects ABP’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive, and we hope it encourages others across the sector to follow suit.”
Laura Davies, diversity and inclusion and talent partner at ABP, added: “This initiative is about more than just providing products, it’s about sending a clear message that women belong in maritime. We are working hard to attract and retain women in the industry, and solutions like The Scarlett Box help remove barriers and make our industry more welcoming in a very simple, practical way.”
