The International Day for Women in Maritime was celebrated at IMO headquarters in London with a symposium on 16 May under the theme “An Ocean of Opportunities for Women” where industry leaders acknowledged the imbalance of women in maritime and called for increased awareness and inclusivity to effect change.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez opened the event, highlighting the need to continue to push for diversity in maritime and to match commitments with action.
The reality is that I’m worried about the IMO-WISTA Women in Maritime Survey 2025 metrics and results. In some areas we are stagnating, and in others, we are regressing.
…said Arsenio Dominguez.
The panelists discussed the need to include voices that are often left out of environmental decision making and addressing both representation and retention, they emphasized that real climate solutions must be built on inclusive foundations.
“The problem to me isn’t about the female scientists coming in, it’s actually about the retention”, said Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS, Director of the Marine Institute School of Biological and Marine Sciences at the University of Plymouth.
In addition, the panelists emphasized the importance of not only accepting more women into the sector, but also creating the necessary structures needed to ensure they have the ability to thrive and lead.
We have to create an environment that creates those hiring pipelines and talent development first. We have the platforms, we have the resources, and we have the desire to be able to put those programs in place.
…stated Michelle Bentubo, Chief Operating Officer, Virgin Voyages.
The conversation turned to the need for not only welcoming women into maritime careers but supporting them throughout. Nicole Fisher, Senior Lecturer on Deck Cadet Education at Warsash Maritime School, reminded women aspiring to pursue a career in maritime: “Just your presence on board is driving that change that we want to see.”
As part of the programme, Louise Proctor, Deputy Director, Technical Cooperation and Implementation Division (IMO) and Elpi Petraki, President of the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA International), presented the 2024 Women in Maritime Survey results.
The survey data showed that of the sample group, women account for 19% of the workforce of national maritime authorities in Member States, and only 16% of the surveyed private sector workforce (excluding seafarers).
At sea, women remain vastly underrepresented, accounting for just 1% of the total number of seafarers employed by surveyed organisations.
Following the discussions, the IMO Secretary-General presented Karin Orsel with the 2025 IMO Gender Equality Award.
