The second Women in Maritime survey, released by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA), sheds light on gender diversity in the maritime industry. It reveals that the number of women employed in the sector has risen significantly, from 151,979 in 2021 to 176,820 in 2024. However, women still represent just under 19% of the total workforce, a decline from 26% in the previous survey.
In terms of specific roles, women make up 19% of the workforce in national maritime authorities and only 16% in the private sector (excluding seafarers). Alarmingly, women constitute just 1% of the total number of seafarers in surveyed organizations. The report highlights disparities in female representation across different sectors, noting that emerging fields like Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) show better inclusion, while traditional areas like bunkering are seeing declines.
To address these issues, the report outlines recommendations for improving gender diversity, including enhanced recruitment strategies, mentorship programs, and safer work environments. These findings align with the IMO and WISTA’s commitment to support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5, aiming for gender equality and empowerment for women in maritime.
