Women in Maritime: Breaking In, Moving Up and Changing the Culture

Women represent approximately 2% of the global seafaring workforce and remain underrepresented across many maritime shoreside roles too. But this is changing — and faster than many realize. Here's what women entering or advancing in the maritime industry need to know.

The Landscape Is Shifting

Major maritime organizations, flag states, and global shipping companies are actively investing in gender diversity:

• IMO's Women in Maritime program advocates globally
• Initiatives like WISTA (Women's International Shipping and Trading Association) operate in 50+ countries
• Companies like Maersk, Stena, and Höegh publicly report gender diversity metrics

This creates real opportunity — especially for women with the right technical or commercial credentials.

Where Women Are Making the Strongest Inroads

• Maritime law and insurance — historically welcoming sectors
• Port authority and maritime administration
• HSQE and compliance roles
• Commercial shipping (chartering, operations, freight)
• Maritime HR and crewing management
• Marine technology, digital, and data roles
• Offshore wind — a growing sector actively recruiting women

What to Expect — Honestly

The maritime industry is changing, but cultural inertia remains. You may encounter:

• Traditional assumptions about "fit" or "capability"
• Environments where being the only woman in a meeting is still common
• Underrepresentation in senior leadership

The best response: build expertise, build relationships, and seek companies whose culture genuinely reflects the values they espouse — not just their brochures.

How to Evaluate a Company's Culture Before Joining

Ask directly in interviews:

• "What is the current gender split in your senior leadership team?"
• "Does the company have any mentoring or sponsorship programs for underrepresented talent?"
• "Can you tell me about career progression stories from within the team?"

Answers (and reactions) to these questions tell you more about culture than any mission statement.

Build Your Community

• Join WISTA in your country
• Connect with other women in maritime on NextMariner
• Seek mentors — both men and women — who can open doors and provide honest counsel

Pro Tip: If you're entering a maritime company as a pioneer — the first woman in a role or department — document your experience. Your insights will be valuable to the next generation coming behind you.