An ocean of opportunities for women, an ocean of opportunities for maritime!

I’m actually sure women DID make history, yet ‘just’ did not make it into the history books. It’s time we set the record straight, not just because it’s the right thing to do. No, it's time to wake up: it’s a strategic imperative for the industry’s progress and sustainability!

The same stereotypes are not going to attract the talent we urgently need

In honour of Karin Orsel receiving the IMO Gender Equality Award 2025 – for 30 years of boundless dedication to equal opportunities for all – and International Day for Women in Maritime, the IMO hosted the conference ‘An ocean of opportunities for women’.

Yes! There ís an ocean of opportunities for women in maritime (and beyond, but that’s a whole other story). Yet, I believe that women stepping up to grab these opportunities mostly creates an ocean of opportunities for maritime! One that is essential for the very future existence of our industry.

Some facts:

• We'll be 90.000 seafarers short in 2026 (ICS), currently only 1% of the seafarers is female. That's a lot of labour potential we're not leveraging… and we’re only talking seafarers here, imagine the shortage if we look at the entire sector!
• It starts with safe working environments: 25% of seafarers now experiences some form of harassment. A more diverse workforce leads to better safety and improved workplace culture onboard and ashore.
• Gender diverse teams demonstrate 25% above average profitability and a 38% increase in innovation revenue (McKinsey & BCG ). And we need a lot of innovative breakthroughs to get to a truly sustainable maritime future.
• Yet currently women represent only 16% of the maritime workforce in the private sector and 19% of the workforce in IMO member states, of which 17% in governmental management positions and 34% in private sector board positions (IMO-WISTA 2024). Happy to report some progress made in certain segments as per the newest report, yet it mostly confirms we really need to push through to even approach tipping the balance…
• On top of that, half of the world’s population is under 30 and young professionals are eager to make sustainable impact. But we have a hard time attracting, engaging ánd maintaining them…

This years’ World Maritime Day theme is ‘Our ocean, our obligation, our opportunity’, underscoring the ocean’s critical role for our planet and global economy, our collective responsibility to protect it and maritime industry’s potential to lead in sustainable practices. Yet, we can only do that if we have a diverse ánd inclusive workforce at all levels. And if we manage to attract talent accordingly. Clearly we’re not going to realize that if we keep on portraying the same stereotypes.

The good news? There’s actually plenty of role models to be found, both today and in history. That’s why I’m happy the Maritime Museum Rotterdam is setting the record straight with their work on women in maritime history and the launch of the Maritime Women platform… but we need YOU to step up too.