V., the global ship manager and marine services provider, and International Seaways,  one of the world’s largest tanker companies, are entering the second year of running their female cadet programme. The joint initiative aims to address the growing skills shortage across the maritime industry by supporting greater female representation and participation in the workforce at sea.

The first year of the programme revealed a number of key learnings from cadets at sea. It was structured around an initial risk assessment of the onboard environment, including crew accommodation and facilities, as well as voyage logistics. Before assigning any female cadets, a decision was made on whether the vessel would provide good training opportunities while also supporting close contact with shore teams to ensure a safe and positive experience for everyone.

Through direct feedback from crew, V. and INSW were able to understand the strengths and gaps of the programme. Their insights shed light on risks and concerns that were not apparent in initial assessments but that only become clear through daily life on board. Regular feedback from the cadets, the master, senior officers, crew members and shore teams guides the development of policies, onboard procedures and training.

Another takeaway was the importance of support from other seafarers, many of whom were adjusting to mixed-gender teams for the first time. V. implemented workplace culture training to help all seafarers feel more confident about working together and be more aware of how to create a respectful and supportive culture.

The V.Cadets pool currently has 6% female representation, and V. has a target of increasing this to 20% by 2030.

René Kofod-Olsen, Chief Executive Officer, V.Group, said: “I am very encouraged by what we are building with INSW – a real and practical pathway for more women to pursue careers at sea. This is about getting the conditions right so that crews can operate safely, comfortably and at the highest level.

“Better access to female talent means stronger teams, and stronger teams mean better outcomes for everyone at sea. Critically, attracting more women into seafaring will also grow the global talent pool our industry depends on, securing a capable workforce for the future.”

Lois Zabrocky, Chief Executive Officer, International Seaways, added: “On this International Day for Women in Maritime, we salute our first class of female cadets and partners at V. for developing and completing a successful first year of the programme. Passing this milestone and welcoming our second cohort of cadets is a moment to be genuinely proud of. There is still much work to be done across the entire industry to expand the workforce with women on board, and fostering workplaces where everyone feels safe, valued, and able to thrive.”

The project aims to increase gender diversity at sea, to tap into underutilised talent pools, bring in fresh perspectives and skills, and allow V. and INSW to remain competitive at a time when the sector faces an aging workforce and talent competition from other industries.