The maritime industry has long been dominated by men, with women making up only a small fraction of the workforce. Yet, evidence shows that investing in women leads to stronger communities, better company performance, and faster economic growth for countries. This is especially true in sectors like maritime, where increasing gender balance can unlock new opportunities and drive sustainable development. Today, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is leading efforts to support women in maritime careers, aiming to create a more inclusive and prosperous industry.
Why Gender Balance Matters in Maritime Industry
Gender equality is not just a social goal but a practical strategy for progress. Research consistently shows that countries with more gender equality experience have better economic growth. Companies with women in leadership roles tend to perform better financially and make more socially responsible decisions.
In maritime Industry, these benefits are equally relevant. The industry supports global trade, economic development, and connectivity. By increasing women’s participation, maritime sector can become more innovative, resilient, and responsive to the needs of diverse communities.
Current State of Women in Maritime
According to the BIMCO/ICS 2021 Seafarer Workforce Report, women represent only 1.2% of the global seafarer workforce. While this is a small percentage, it marks a significant improvement—a 45.8% increase since 2015, with over 24,000 women now serving as seafarers worldwide. This growth shows that change is possible, but there is still a long way to go to reach gender balance.
Women face multiple barriers in maritime careers, including limited access to training, workplace discrimination, and a lack of visible role models. The industry’s historical male dominance has created cultures and structures that can be unwelcoming to women. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated efforts from governments, companies, and international organizations.
IMO’s Role in Supporting Women in Maritime
The International Maritime Organization has been a key player in promoting gender equality in maritime since 1988. At that time, very few maritime training institutes accepted female students. IMO’s Women in Maritime programme works under the slogan “Training-Visibility-Recognition” to tackle the issue from multiple angles:
- Training: Supporting access to maritime education and skills development for women.
- Visibility: Highlighting women’s contributions and success stories in maritime.
- Recognition: Encouraging policies and practices that acknowledge and reward women’s roles.
IMO supports both shore-based and sea-going positions for women, recognizing that gender balance is needed across all parts of the industry. The organization also aligns its efforts with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly Sustainable Development Goal 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Practical Steps to Increase Women’s Participation
Several practical measures can help improve gender balance in maritime:
- Expand Training Opportunities
Maritime academies and training centers should actively recruit and support female students. Scholarships, mentorship programs, and flexible learning options can reduce barriers.
- Create Inclusive Work Environments
Shipping companies and ports need policies that prevent harassment and discrimination. Providing facilities that meet women’s needs, such as separate accommodations on ships, is essential.
- Promote Female Role Models
Sharing stories of successful women in maritime inspires others to join and stay in the industry. Visibility campaigns and awards can raise awareness.
- Encourage Leadership and Decision-Making Roles
Women should be supported to take on leadership positions in maritime companies and organizations. Diverse leadership teams improve decision-making and company performance.
- Collaborate Internationally
Governments, industry groups, and NGOs can share best practices and coordinate efforts to create global standards for gender equality in maritime.
Examples of Progress and Impact
Some countries and companies have made notable strides in promoting women in maritime:
- Norway has implemented policies to increase women’s participation in the maritime sector, including targeted training programs and leadership development.
- India has launched the Sagar Mein Samman (SMS) policy framework. The SMS framework sets an ambitious goal: 12% female representation in technical maritime roles by 2030. This target is significant because technical roles have traditionally been male-dominated, including positions such as marine engineers, navigators, and ship officers. This target encourages maritime training institutes and shipping companies to actively recruit and train women, helping to break stereotypes and open new career paths.
- Maersk, one of the world’s largest shipping companies, has committed to increasing the number of women on board its vessels and in leadership roles.
- The Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) supports networking and professional development for women in maritime worldwide.
These examples show that change is achievable and beneficial. Companies with more women leaders often report better financial results and stronger workplace cultures. Countries with gender-equal maritime sectors benefit from a more skilled and motivated workforce.
The Economic Case for Gender Equality in Maritime
Investing in women in maritime is an investment in economic growth. Studies show that gender equality boosts productivity and innovation. When women have equal access to jobs and leadership, companies perform better and communities thrive.
For maritime, this means:
- Improved operational efficiency through diverse teams bringing different perspectives.
- Greater innovation in technology and processes.
- Enhanced reputation attracting talent and customers.
- Stronger compliance with social and environmental standards.
By supporting women, maritime can contribute to broader economic development goals and help countries achieve sustainable growth.
What You Can Do to Support Women in Maritime
Whether you work in maritime or are interested in the industry, there are ways to contribute to gender equality:
- Advocate for inclusive policies in your workplace or community.
- Mentor or support women pursuing maritime careers.
- Promote awareness about the benefits of gender balance.
- Support organizations like IMO and WISTA that work to advance women in maritime.
Small actions add up to big change. Together, we can build a maritime industry that reflects the diversity and talent of the world.
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