Columbia Group has called on the maritime industry to create a future where women can thrive, progress and lead at sea, as it celebrated the second She Beyond Conference in Manila, held as part of Crew Connect Global.

The event brought together female seafarers to share experiences, build connections and explore how the industry can create more opportunities for women throughout their maritime careers. Building on its inaugural conference, She Beyond forms part of Columbia Group’s wider commitment to supporting its people, from their first steps into maritime through to senior leadership positions.

The conference comes amid continued concerns over the industry’s gender imbalance. According to the latest IMO–WISTA Women in Maritime Survey, published in May 2025, women account for just one per cent of seafarers employed by the organisations surveyed, highlighting the continued need for greater recruitment, retention and career development opportunities.

Claudia Paschkewitz, Director of Sustainability, Inclusion and Diversity at Columbia Group, said: “We have spent years talking about attracting more women into maritime, but recruitment is only the beginning. The real measure of progress is whether women have equal opportunities to stay, progress and build sustainable careers.

“We need to look beyond how many women join the industry and examine whether they are being supported, promoted and given the opportunity to reach senior positions. If we are serious about gender equality, retention and career progression must receive the same attention as recruitment.”.

Columbia Group’s Female Cadet Mentorship Programme pairs women entering the profession with experienced mentors who provide practical advice, encouragement and support as they adjust to life at sea. Through She Beyond, Columbia aims to build a community of women seafarers who support one another, share experiences and learn from each other throughout their careers.

The initiative sits alongside Columbia’s broader investment in seafarer welfare and professional development, including career progression programmes, training opportunities and regular conferences that bring maritime professionals together to exchange ideas and strengthen connections. Columbia also demonstrates its commitment to supporting seafarers beyond the workplace, including assistance for crew members and their families affected by the war in Ukraine. Its approach recognises that building sustainable maritime careers requires support for the people and families behind every seafarer.

Practical initiatives such as Columbia’s iCare Packs for Women Seafarers, providing medical readiness and personal care essentials, further demonstrate the importance of addressing the everyday needs of women onboard.

The company believes these practical measures must be accompanied by respectful workplace cultures, clear career development opportunities and greater accountability for ensuring women are treated fairly throughout their careers.

Simona Toma, Chief of Maritime HR at Columbia Group, said: “She Beyond provides an important opportunity to listen to the experiences of our female seafarers and understand what more we can do to support them. Our responsibility does not end when a female cadet joins her first vessel. We must ensure she has the support, encouragement and opportunities to develop into an experienced officer and, ultimately, a maritime leader.”