A new report from the Global Maritime Forum and All Aboard Alliance exposes the hidden barriers keeping shipping’s leadership ranks stubbornly uniform – and warns that ignoring diversity could stall the industry’s growth.
The Diversifying Maritime Leadership survey, based on 108 in-depth interviews across sea and shore roles, reveals a stark gender divide. Sixty-eight per cent of women leaders report encountering bias tied to gender, race or identity during their careers.
This view is more than double the 33% of men who say the same.
The findings also highlight just how unsafe many women feel in the workplace. Fewer than half of respondents, namely 41%, say they can fully express their authentic selves at work, and 15% reported experiences they rated just three or below on a safety scale.
The industry is also facing a looming talent crunch. With a projected shortfall of 90 000 maritime officers by 2026, equitable leadership pipelines are not just a matter of fairness but a commercial imperative.
Yet entrenched norms remain. Many interviewees described leadership expectations shaped by narrow ideals of masculinity or nationality. One woman recalled: “In meetings, they questioned whether I had the authority to sign – despite it being my company.”
Behind the scenes, unwritten rules govern who advances and who stalls. Evaluations, pay, promotions and access to professional networks often favour the familiar ‘boys’ club’, leaving women disproportionately disadvantaged.
The report identifies six key barriers, from societal norms to corporate culture and opaque professional networks, and points to proven ways forward. Mentorship, visible female role models, inclusive HR policies, transparent promotion pathways and flexible working practices all emerge as critical bridges that have helped leaders overcome systemic obstacles.
The survey’s message is clear: if shipping wants to navigate a sustainable future, it must dismantle the biases holding women back and ensure its leadership reflects the talent the sector truly has.
