Maritime has traditionally been a male-dominated industry. The numbers are still stark - women represent about 2% of seafarers globally. But the picture is more nuanced than that headline suggests.
The Current Reality
- Women at sea: approximately 2% of the global workforce
- Women in shore-based maritime roles: significantly higher, around 20-30% in some sectors
- Leadership positions: improving, but still underrepresented
Where Women Are Making Progress
Some areas have seen real change:
- Cruise industry: More diverse than cargo shipping
- Commercial and legal: Chartering, S&P, maritime law
- Port management: Growing female presence
- Maritime technology: Attracting more women
- HR and training: Often female-led
Challenges That Remain
Let's be honest about the obstacles:
- Facilities on older vessels weren't designed for mixed crews
- Long periods away from home affect family planning
- Some companies still have outdated attitudes
- Fewer female mentors and role models
What's Changing
- IMO and industry bodies actively promoting diversity
- WISTA and similar organizations growing
- More companies setting diversity targets
- New vessels designed with mixed crews in mind
- Scholarship programs for women in maritime
Advice for Women Entering Maritime
- Know your worth. Your skills matter more than your gender.
- Find your community. Join WISTA or other networks. Having support helps.
- Choose employers carefully. Some companies genuinely value diversity. Others just talk about it.
- Don't accept less. Same job, same pay. Same opportunities.
The industry needs diverse perspectives to evolve. If you're a woman considering maritime - don't let old statistics discourage you. The best companies know that talent has no gender.
