Report Reveals Challenges Faced by Women in Maritime Careers

The All Aboard Alliance and TURTLE have released a new report highlighting the challenges women face in maritime careers. The report, titled ‘Employability in maritime: Four key challenges facing women seafarers,’ identifies major barriers such as gender and nationality discrimination, certification issues, systemic bias, and difficulties in career transitions. With women representing less than 2% of the global seafaring workforce, their participation is crucial to address the industry’s talent shortage.

Susanne Justesen, the Global Maritime Forum’s director of human sustainability, expressed concern over the discrimination faced by seafarers from the Global South, particularly Africa, due to gender and nationality biases. She emphasized the need for a more equitable maritime industry that does not leave talented individuals behind based on their gender or background. Isabelle Rickmers, CEO of TURTLE, highlighted the importance of breaking down barriers for female seafarers, especially in the face of a severe talent shortage.

The report offers data-driven insights and practical recommendations to create a more inclusive and equitable maritime industry. It aims to raise awareness and drive progress towards a more resilient and diverse workforce. The Global Maritime Forum, an international not-for-profit organization dedicated to shaping the future of global seaborne trade, played a key role in co-designing the survey with TURTLE to address the intersectional challenges faced by female seafarers.

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