Women represent a vital yet underutilized resource in the maritime industry, comprising up to 50% of potential talent, according to Mailyn Borillo of OSM Thome Philippines. She stresses the importance of inclusivity in daily operations, advocating for support structures that ensure women’s safety and well-being to foster long-term careers for female seafarers.
Nippon Yuka Kogyo Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the NYK Group, has launched BioxiGuard, Japan’s first antioxidant for marine biodiesel fuel. Available from August 10, this innovation enhances oxidative stability, reducing degradation by 50%. This development supports the maritime industry’s shift toward sustainable biofuels, improving efficiency and safety in operations.
The latest Seafarers’ Happiness Index (SHI) reveals a slight rise in overall happiness among maritime workers, reaching 6.98 out of 10 in Q1 2025. Despite this improvement, issues like mental health stress, excessive workloads, and poor connectivity persist, overshadowing pride in their work and camaraderie among crews.
The CIMAC working group WG20 has released the guideline “Digital Twins in the Maritime Industry.” This framework aids stakeholders in understanding and implementing digital twin technology, detailing six dimensions to define various types. It includes an allocation table and real-world use cases, emphasizing the alignment of models with specific applications for effective use.
The Maharashtra government has launched a new shipbuilding policy to enhance maritime infrastructure and promote ship repair and recycling. The Maharashtra Shipbuilding, Ship Repair, and Ship Recycling Facility Development Policy 2025 aims to attract investments, create jobs, and reduce reliance on foreign shipyards, aligning with the central government’s Maritime India Vision 2030.
Female representation in the maritime industry is critically low, with women comprising only 16% of the workforce. While regions like the Caribbean and Pacific show over 20% participation, barriers such as gender stereotyping and safety concerns persist. Stakeholders must collaborate to enhance diversity and create an inclusive environment.
On May 6, the maritime industry celebrated the 2025 Nautilus Marine Insurance Marina of the Year Awards, emphasizing women’s contributions in a male-dominated field. Stephanie Trounce received the Industry Woman of the Year award for her safety and compliance leadership at Gold Coast City Marina, showcasing her expertise in high-risk environments.
The Maharashtra State Cabinet has approved a pioneering policy to boost shipbuilding, repair, and recycling, making it India’s first comprehensive maritime framework. With targets of ₹6,600 crore in investments and 40,000 jobs by 2030, the initiative aims to position Maharashtra as a key hub in the maritime industry.
The Union Budget’s revamped Ship Building Financial Assistance Policy and the ₹25,000 crore Maritime Development Fund have passed the Expenditure Finance Committee review, awaiting Cabinet approval. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the fund to enhance competitiveness in the maritime industry, including significant government contributions and updated shipbuilding assistance schemes.
Spinnaker’s exploration of the gender pay gap in the maritime industry reveals significant disparities in salary and representation across the UK, EU, and globally. Despite some improvements since 2016, the data shows a persistent gap, with women underrepresented in higher-paying roles. More efforts are needed to address these inequalities.
Mariners play a crucial role in ensuring safety at sea, relying on intuition and experience to identify potential dangers. Near Miss Reporting allows them to flag hazards before incidents occur, but many hesitate due to fear of reprisal. Training programs should encourage all crew members to report concerns, fostering a culture of open communication and collaboration.
The inaugural WISTA India ExCo Conference in Mumbai focused on sustainable shipping and diversity, with over 6,000 international members represented. President Elpi Petraki highlighted collaboration as key to overcoming industry challenges, while Sanjam Gupta praised India’s leadership in sustainable practices and the growing inclusion of women in maritime careers.
The maritime industry, reliant on traditional fuels for decades, faces challenges in meeting emission standards with alternative fuels. Shipyards may struggle to adapt, impacting profitability. Dr. Ahlgren’s “Dual Fuel Strategy” suggests combining fossil fuels with electric power. Transitioning to alternative fuels poses challenges in energy density, safety, and infrastructure.
In an effort to promote equity, diversity, and inclusion in the maritime industry, NeurodiversAtSea, the Seafarers Hospital Society, and The Seafarers’ Charity have launched a groundbreaking project to provide support to neurodivergent seafarers. This initiative aims to address the lack of industry support for neurodivergent employees and provide necessary assessments and adjustments for neurodivergent seafarers.
Experts have raised concerns about the $5.4 trillion global maritime industry’s susceptibility to cyber threats. In response, the US Coast Guard introduced a regulation aimed at bolstering cybersecurity for US-flagged vessels and facilities. Effective July 16, 2025, it mandates cybersecurity plans and incident reporting to protect critical maritime infrastructure.
