This year’s International Day for Women in Maritime, celebrated annually on 18 May, will spotlight pathways for women’s leadership, participation and impact in the global ocean economy.

Shipping carries more than 80% of global trade in goods and is essential to everyone on the planet. However, the sector remains male-dominated – women make up less than 20% of the maritime workforce onshore, with significantly lower participation at sea.

To discuss how closing this gender gap could unlock growth and opportunities across the industry, the International Maritime Organization is hosting a symposium in London on Friday,16 May under the theme: ‘An Ocean of Opportunities for Women’.

The event will bring together leading ocean and maritime figures from around the world to share insights and solutions that can shape policies and actions to promote women’s participation.

Ahead of the symposium, which will be livestreamed on IMO’s Youtube Channel,  Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez said:

“Our theme this year recognizes the vast potential for inclusion, innovation and equality across the many different areas of work in the maritime world, from deck to boardroom, from ocean scientist to maritime administrator.”

He emphasized that “education, mentorship, policy and culture will bring down the barriers that have hindered progress.” (Watch the Secretary-General’s message)

New data on women in maritime 

The findings of the 2024 IMO-WISTA Women in Maritime Survey will be announced during the event. The survey report includes key baseline data about women’s participation in the maritime and ocean fields, along with recommendations for action.

The survey builds on the first report published in 2022, which indicated significant disparities between men and women in all levels of the maritime workforce, with great variations among individual sub-sectors.

The report will be published here.

Gender equality award  

The IMO Gender Equality Award 2025 will be presented to maritime entrepreneur Ms. Karin Orsel from the Netherlands during the event.

The IMO Council endorsed Ms. Orsel as the 2025 recipient during its 133rd session held in London (18 to 22 November 2024).  The Award is bestowed on individuals who have made significant contributions to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women in the maritime sector.

Take part 

IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez invites everyone to engage in celebrations online, tagging someone who is making a difference for gender equality.

On social media platforms, use the hashtag #WomenInMaritimeDay, tagging @IMOHQ on X; LinkedIn; Instagram; and Facebook.

The programme for the symposium is outlined below:

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An Ocean of Opportunities for Women Symposium

Date: 16 May 2025

Time: 14.00 – 17.30 BST followed by reception

Place: IMO Headquarters, London, and live streamed on IMO’s YouTube channel.

Programme

14.00 – 14.10 - Opening : Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General

14.15 – 15.00 - Live Podcast Recording

Host:  Mr. Karanvir Singh Nayyar, Merchant Navy Officer & Filmmaker (India)

Speakers:  

• Captain Josephine Clark, President of the Australasian Marine Pilots Institute (Australia)
• Ms. Mariam Al Shaikh, Deck Cadet, Bahri (Saudi Arabia)

15.00 – 15.15 - Presentation – IMO-WISTA Women in Maritime Survey 2024 Results

• Ms. Louise Proctor, Deputy Director, Subdivision for Planning and Programming, IMO
• Ms. Elpi Petraki, President of WISTA International

15.15 – 16.00 - Panel discussion - Ocean Conservation: Young People and Why Change Matters

Moderator:  Ms. Karen McVeigh, Senior Reporter – The Guardian  

Panelists:  

• Ms. Alannah Vellacott, Marine Ecologist, Science Communicator and Ocean Advocate (Bahamas)
• Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS, Director of the Marine Institute School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth (UK)
• Dr. Renis Auma Ojwala, Post-doctoral Research Associate, World Maritime University (WMU) (Kenya)

16.00 – 16.30 - Coffee Break

16:30 – 17.15 - Panel discussion - Navigating Challenges and Seizing Opportunities

Moderator: Ms. Karen McVeigh, Senior Reporter – The Guardian   

Panelists:  

• Ms Nicole Fisher - Senior Lecturer (Deck Cadet Education), Warsash Maritime School
• Ms. Michelle Bentubo, Chief Operating Officer, Virgin Voyages (United States)
• Mr. Dominic Pattinson, Executive Secretary, OSPAR Commission

17.15 – 17.30 - IMO Gender Equality Award Ceremony

17.30 – 20.30 - Reception

Source:IMO