The maritime industry, one of the oldest branches of human activity, has always been surrounded by stories of male courage and adventure. However, behind these stories lie the significant contributions of women who have successfully fought for their place at sea. Despite obstacles and gender imbalances, women in the maritime industry are slowly but surely changing the industry.
History of women in the maritime industry
Pioneers at sea
Although it was once believed that a woman on a ship brought bad luck, history has recorded numerous women who broke these stereotypes. Here are some of the most famous:
- Grace O’Malley: A female pirate and leader who was known for her seafaring skills.
- Victoria Drummond: Britain’s first female naval engineer, known for her bravery during World War II.
- Krystyna Chojnowska-Liskiewicz: The first woman to circumnavigate the world solo.
The first female captains
- Anna Ivanovna Schetinina (1935): The first female captain in the world.
- Mary Patten (1856): First woman to take command of an American merchant ship.
Gender imbalance in the maritime sector
Statistics and current challenges
- Women make up only 2% of the world’s maritime workforce.
- Most often they occupy supporting roles, while management positions are still reserved for men.
- Lack of support from family and society is one of the key reasons for the low number of women in this industry.
Perception and obstacles
Maritime jobs are still perceived as male-dominated, and shipowners rarely encourage women to join the industry.
Women’s empowerment initiatives
Programs and support
- IMO “Women in Maritime Affairs” Programme (1988): Focus on the education and training of women.
- World Maritime Day 2019: The theme “Empowering Women in the Maritime Community” raised awareness of the importance of gender equality.
- International Foundation for Women in Maritime Industry: Launched by India’s first female captain Radhika Menon to protect women’s rights and promote their presence in the sector.
Positive examples from practice
- Celebrity Edge: Historic sailing in 2020 with a crew of 26 women in high positions.
- Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd: Initiatives to attract and empower women through internship programs and employment in technical roles.
How to attract more women to the maritime sector?
- Education and Awareness: Promoting educational programs and scholarships for women.
- Adapting the work environment: Providing support for balancing professional and private life.
- Visible role models: The positive influence of women in leadership positions.
- Digitalization of industry: Technology opens up new opportunities for innovative jobs.
Historic voyage: The first ship piloted by 26 women
The first female-led cruise began on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2020. Twenty-six women held most of the senior officer and management positions on the Celebrity Edge cruise ship.
The historic event was intended to increase gender equality in the maritime profession. Celebrity Cruises, which organized the trip, claims that since 2015, they have increased the number of female deckhands from 3% to 22%.
The team of 26 women from 17 different countries in the highest management positions in the ship’s command structure was led by American Captain Kate McCue.
“We are all motivated to close the gender gap at the company. Over the past several years, we have worked hard to hire as many women as possible in our industry,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, the company’s president and CEO.
When it comes to human resources in the maritime and transport sector, men are primarily thought of because these jobs are considered to be specifically for men. In the maritime and transport sector, women are still underrepresented.
Fortunately, today women are also provided with equal education, they have the same professional qualifications and are trained to make and implement all decisions and management functions.
Conclusion
Women in the maritime industry are a symbol of courage, innovation and change. Despite a long history of male dominance, their contribution is increasingly significant. To ensure gender equality, education, adaptation of the work environment and support from society are key.
The maritime industry has the potential to become a leader in creating a more inclusive and equitable business environment, but this requires the cooperation of all stakeholders. Regardless of gender, expertise and competence remain the most important factors for success. It is time for the sea to become a space of equal opportunities for all.
