When you think about maritime careers, you may picture ships, ports and long periods at sea. But the industry also needs professionals in engineering, logistics, law, technology, environmental management and administration. As maritime trade becomes more digital and sustainable, you can now see more opportunities for women, although significant gaps remain, particularly in seafaring roles.
The Evolving Role of Women in the Maritime Sector
Women are increasingly contributing across both sea-based and shore-based maritime roles. The 2024 IMO-WISTA Women in Maritime Survey covered 176,820 women and found that women represented just under 19% of the workforce sampled.
You can find women working as:
- Seafarers, deck officers and engineers
- Port and terminal professionals
- Maritime administrators and regulators
- Shipbrokers, lawyers and marine professionals
- Specialists in environmental, social and governance (ESG) and decarbonisation
- Maritime educators, trainers and researchers
Historical Barriers Faced by Women in Maritime
For decades, maritime work was shaped around a predominantly male workforce. Limited access to maritime training and employment restricted women's entry into many roles.
Women who entered the sector could also face:
- Gender stereotypes and biased recruitment
- Limited opportunities for career progression
- Safety and harassment concerns
- Inadequate facilities and equipment designed for women
- Difficulties balancing long periods at sea with family responsibilities
Progress and Achievements of Women in Maritime Today
There has been measurable institutional progress. The IMO has established its Women in Maritime programme, supported professional networks and provided training and career-development opportunities for women.
The sector also observes International Day for Women in Maritime on 18 May, created to promote women's recruitment, retention and sustained employment. In 2026, the theme focused on moving from policy commitments to practical gender equality.
Leadership development is also receiving attention. In July 2026, an IMO-WMU-WISTA leadership programme brought together 23 maritime professionals from 18 countries to strengthen leadership and gender-inclusive decision-making.
Challenges Women Still Face in the Maritime World
Despite progress, the gap is particularly visible at sea. Women represented only 1% of the active seafarers reported by organisations participating in the 2024 survey, with 2,223 women among 211,750 seafarers.
Other challenges include:
- Insufficient representation in senior decision-making roles
- Lack of suitable personal protective equipment and onboard facilities
- Concerns around harassment and discrimination
- Limited family-support measures for seafarers
- Difficulty moving from maritime education into seafaring careers
Benefits of Gender Diversity in the Maritime Industry
Greater participation can help the industry use a broader pool of skills and experiences. The IMO has linked women's participation to innovation, sustainability, and stronger decision-making, while its recent work on ship recycling highlights fresh perspectives, teamwork, and innovation as benefits of gender inclusion.
For employers, widening recruitment can also expand the available talent pool as shipping adapts to digitalisation, automation and decarbonisation.
The Future of Women in Maritime
The future of women in maritime will depend on how effectively the industry creates equal access to training, employment and leadership opportunities. As shipping adopts digital technologies and cleaner operations, new career paths are emerging across technical, environmental and management functions. Continued efforts towards safer workplaces, inclusive policies and professional development can help more women build long-term maritime careers.
Conclusion
Building a stronger maritime workforce requires action at every level, from fair hiring practices to practical support for career progression. If you are entering this field, explore specialised training, professional networks and roles across the wider maritime ecosystem. Understanding areas such as risk management and marine insurance can also broaden your industry knowledge and prepare you for changing responsibilities.
FAQs
1. Why is it important to promote women’s participation in the maritime industry?
It helps the sector access a wider talent pool and supports more diverse perspectives in an industry undergoing digitalisation, automation and decarbonisation.
2. What roles can women pursue in the maritime sector?
You can pursue careers as seafarers, engineers, port professionals, maritime administrators, shipbrokers, lawyers, educators, researchers and specialists in areas such as ESG and decarbonisation.
3. How can shipping companies attract more women seafarers?
Companies can improve recruitment and retention by widening hiring practices, providing suitable onboard facilities and equipment, strengthening workplace safety, offering mentorship and creating clearer pathways for career progression.
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