Women in maritime and shipping roles

Seaplify August 17, 2023

The maritime industry has traditionally been a male-dominated field, but there has been a growing trend of women in maritime in recent years. According to the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the number of women seafarers has increased by 45.8% since 2015. This growth is being driven by a number of factors, including:

Quick Answer

The global shipping industry needs more skilled seafarers due to a shortage, and women are considered valuable recruits.
Employers in the maritime are becoming more open to hiring women and are enhancing workplace inclusivity.
Women seafarers now have increased opportunities across roles, from deck officers to engineers and managers.

Additionally, the growth of women seafarers is a positive development for the industry. Women bring a unique set of skills and perspectives to the table, and their presence can help to make the industry more diverse and inclusive.

The presence of women in the maritime brings about distinctive skills and perspectives, thereby promoting diversity and inclusivity. Nevertheless, challenges persist:

For empowering women in maritime and shipping roles, embrace these hands-on strategies:

Foster Participation: Motivate increased female engagement by promoting industry entry through scholarships and mentorship programs provided by employers and maritime entities.
Nurture Diversity: Drive inclusivity by orchestrating unconscious bias training and enforcing gender equality policies, establishing a work environment that accommodates all.
Offer Support: Leverage various specialized organizations catering to women in the maritime sector. These platforms offer networking, mentoring, and training avenues.

Furthermore, by actively implementing these measures, you play a pivotal role in sculpting an inclusive and fair maritime industry that delivers benefits across the board.

Supporting women in the industry is of utmost importance:

Challenges for women are real but not insurmountable. Addressing and supporting women can foster an equitable, inclusive workplace. To bolster women in maritime and shipping roles, consider these actionable steps:

Inspire Entry: Encourage more women to venture into the industry through scholarships and mentoring initiatives offered by employers and maritime organizations.
Cultivate Inclusivity: Employers can actively create an inclusive environment by conducting unconscious bias training and implementing policies that advocate gender equality.
Provide Backing: Numerous organizations specialize in supporting women within the maritime sector. These platforms offer networking, mentoring, and training opportunities.

However, adopting these proactive measures contributes significantly to shaping an inclusive and equitable maritime industry that benefits everyone.

The future of women in the industry

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The industry is becoming more diverse and inclusive, and there are more opportunities for women than ever before. As the industry continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more women entering the field and making their mark.

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of the global seafarer workforce are women?

Women make up approximately 2% of the global seafaring workforce — around 24,000 out of 1.2 million seafarers. The figure is growing slowly but remains significantly below the proportion of women in most comparable industries.

What challenges do women face working in maritime and shipping?

Key challenges include a historically male-dominated culture, limited female-specific facilities on some vessels, unconscious bias in recruitment and promotion, isolation as the only woman on board, sexual harassment concerns, and the difficulty of combining long contracts with family responsibilities.

What is being done to increase diversity in the maritime industry?

Initiatives include IMO’s World Maritime Day themes on gender equality, the Women in Maritime programme, dedicated mentoring schemes, industry pledges from major shipping companies, and organisations like WISTA International advocating for greater inclusion across all sectors of the industry.

Are there specific maritime roles where women are more represented?

Women are more represented in cruise ship hotel and entertainment departments, shore-based maritime roles (shipping management, chartering, insurance, law), and increasingly in officer ranks on passenger vessels. Tanker and bulk carrier sectors remain the least diverse.

What support networks exist for women in maritime careers?

Key organisations include WISTA International (Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association), the Propeller Club’s women in maritime network, ISWAN’s women seafarer programmes, and many national maritime associations with women’s professional development initiatives.