Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines welcomed future female talent aboard its flagship, Bolette, bringing together women who are shaping the maritime industry to inspire future careers at sea.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, in partnership with Liverpool Cruise Port, recently invited 39 female students from Liverpool John Moores University, Hugh Baird College and Fleetwood Nautical Campus aboard Bolette to mark International Women in Maritime Day.

The event featured a programme of presentations and an expert panel discussion, bringing together leading voices from across the maritime sector and beyond. Speakers shared personal experiences and career insights, highlighting the breadth of roles available within the industry and the importance of representation at every level.

The panel was chaired by Angie Redhead, Head of Operations at Culture Liverpool, and included Abbie Sanders, Compliance Manager and Master Mariner at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines; Simone Roche MBE, Founder and CEO of We Are PoWEr; Louise Robinson, Ship Superintendent at Mersey Ferries; Charlotte Fenton, Customer Service Manager at Peel Ports; and Kate Orrell, Agency Manager at Denholm Port Services.

With women representing just 1.2% of the global seafarer workforce, the event aimed to increase visibility of maritime careers, support future recruitment, and celebrate the achievements of women across the sector.

Abbie Sanders, Compliance Manager and Master Mariner at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:

“Having progressed through a career at sea, I recognise how pivotal and beneficial these events are to young people, and especially young women, looking to pursue a similar pathway or explore the opportunities within the maritime sector.

“The event was a great showcase for what a career in maritime may entail, also allowing us to share advice and challenges along the way.

“I hope those who attended are inspired to pursue their goals in a similar way and it was a great reminder of what can be achieved through collaboration as a sector.”

Attendees had the opportunity to network with organisations operating across Liverpool’s maritime sector, including Liverpool Cruise Port, Mersey Ferries, Peel Ports, Mersey Maritime, Denholm Port Services and Liverpool City Council. These conversations offered valuable insight into potential career routes and the breadth of roles available across the industry.

The initiative forms part of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and Liverpool Cruise Port’s 2026 community engagement and sustainability partnership, which is focused on creating meaningful contributions and delivering lasting positive impact across Liverpool’s world-renowned waterfront.

John Mawer, General Manager of GPH UK Ports, said:

“At Liverpool Cruise Port, we are proud to support an event that celebrates the achievements of women across the maritime industry and helps inspire more women and young people to see maritime as an exciting and rewarding career path.

“We are delighted to be working with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines and our wider maritime partners to mark the occasion here in Liverpool. Collaboration is at the heart of this industry, and it is fantastic to see so many members of our community coming together to champion inclusion, visibility and the future of women in maritime.”