Navigating new frontiers: Female Maritime leadership breakfast gathering
The maritime industry is gearing up for a pivotal discussion on diversity and inclusion at the upcoming Women in Maritime breakfast session, as part of Europort 2025. This event aims to shed light on the current state of gender diversity in the sector and explore strategies to foster a more inclusive environment.
Recent findings from the Women in Maritime Survey 2024 reveal a concerning trend. Despite increased recognition and commitment to gender diversity, tangible results in fostering inclusion and diversity remain limited. The survey shows that women now represent just 16% of the maritime workforce, a decline from 26% in 2021. These results indicate persistent challenges in recruitment, retention, and inclusion efforts in the maritime sector, with only "pockets of change" observed thus far.
The event, scheduled to take place at an undisclosed location, will feature esteemed industry professionals from leading ship owners, who will share their insights, experiences, and visions. The full speaker lineup will be announced shortly.
Attendees are invited to register for this important event, which will delve into the strategies implemented and their impact on the sector's diversity. The discussion will explore steps taken, lessons learned, and the confidence needed to push boundaries. The event may offer opportunities to learn from the experiences and insights of these professionals, providing valuable insights for those working within the maritime industry.
The event is aimed at fostering a more inclusive and diverse maritime sector, with a particular emphasis on women's participation. Ongoing skill shortages in shipping exacerbate the problem, and the lack of gender diversity further complicates human capital challenges in the sector. Events like this underscore the urgency but reveal slow progress.
The Women in Maritime survey gathered data from 88 member states and 608 private organizations, showing increased participation since 2021 and thus a better understanding of diversity gaps. The survey also highlighted that gender inequality remains especially severe at sea, where women constitute barely 1% of mariners surveyed.
In summary, while there is recognition and growing dialogue around gender diversity, the Women in Maritime Survey 2024 reveals that meaningful change in workforce composition and inclusion remains modest. This underscores the need for stronger and more effective actions to foster a truly inclusive maritime sector. The Women in Maritime breakfast session at Europort 2025 aims to contribute to this much-needed change.
[1] Women in Maritime Survey 2024 Report [2] Europort 2025 Schedule and Events
- The Science of Diversity and Inclusion in the Maritime Industry could benefit from a comprehensive study, exploring the factors hindering meaningful change in workforce composition and inclusion, as illustrated by the Women in Maritime Survey 2024.
- In light of the survey's findings, emphasizing Women's Health and Workplace-Wellness initiatives could be crucial in retaining female talent in the maritime sector, given that gender inequality remains especially severe at sea.
- To address the financial implications of the ongoing skill shortages in shipping, businesses could consider Health-and-Wellness programs and Diversity-and-Inclusion strategies as key investing areas, ensuring not only a competitive edge but also a healthier, more inclusive workforce.
