Columbia Shipmanagement, part of the Columbia Group, has reinforced its commitment to empowering women at sea following the recent She Beyond Conference in Manila. The event brought together female seafarers from across the company’s global fleet for a full day of discussion, learning and shared experience.

Women account for only one percent of the global seafaring workforce, a figure that continues to highlight the need for stronger industry action on gender representation. The She Beyond initiative reflects Columbia’s long term effort to expand opportunities for women, strengthen support structures and ensure they feel valued and respected throughout their maritime careers.

This year’s conference welcomed female seafarers from the deck, engine and hotel departments, demonstrating the increasing number of women progressing through the ranks and taking on key operational responsibilities at sea.

The day opened with remarks from Simona Toma, Chief of Maritime HR at Columbia Group, who emphasised the importance of recognising women’s experiences in the maritime profession and fostering a sense of community and belonging. Speaking after the event, she said, “The ideas and experiences shared throughout the She Beyond Conference will play an important role in shaping our ongoing efforts to support the growth and wellbeing of women at sea. The connections formed and the honest conversations we heard will help guide our wider work to build a more diverse and inclusive maritime workforce in the years ahead.”

A series of sessions followed, including updates from Claudia Paschkewitz, Director of Sustainability, Inclusion and Diversity at Columbia Group. Claudia outlined the company’s ongoing initiatives to help women build confidence, leadership skills and long term careers at sea. These include structured mentorship for female cadets, visibility and networking programmes and greater focus on role models across the fleet. She said, “Supporting women at sea requires more than recruitment. It means creating an environment where women feel they belong and can see a clear path to leadership. Mentorship, visibility and genuine connection remain some of the most effective tools we have to help women build confidence and progress in their careers.”

The programme also included a workshop on unconscious bias, delivered by Mental Health Support Solutions  which is part of OneCare Group, and an open forum where women seafarers shared their experiences and aspirations, helping shape future support programmes across the fleet.

A dedicated session on the challenges faced by women seafarers followed, led by Anca Preda, Director of Maritime HR (Cruise) at Columbia Group, together with Claudia Paschkewitz. Participants spoke candidly about real world situations encountered on board, including the pressures, expectations and cultural barriers they continue to navigate. The discussion concluded with a question and answer segment and an action planning exercise, reinforcing Columbia’s commitment to listening to these concerns and ensuring they are reflected in future welfare and development initiatives.

The conference concluded with a dinner and an awards ceremony recognising female seafarers for their dedication and achievements. A long service award was presented to Divina De Chavez Reyes for her twenty years with Columbia.

Mark O’Neil, CEO of Columbia Group, said, “Women have always had a rightful place at sea, and it is our responsibility as an industry to ensure the opportunities and environment reflect that. Initiatives like She Beyond enable us to listen directly to the women shaping the future of our fleet and allow us to build better systems of support. Columbia will continue investing in programmes that empower women, remove barriers and create clear pathways to progression. A diverse workforce is essential for a modern and resilient maritime sector.”