Women in Maritime Day highlights gender equality progress and ongoing gaps in International Shipping News 05/06/2026 IMO celebrated the International Day for Women in Maritime in London (18 May), under the theme “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Gender Equality for Maritime Excellence”. A special event at IMO headquarters brought together maritime experts and advocates to explore best practices in turning commitment into action in presentations and panel discussions. Celebration and accountability IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez opened the event by framing it as both a celebration of women, and a time to take accountability of persistent gaps in gender diversity. “There are large steps we must still take to show that we are indeed serious when it comes to gender inclusivity and equity in the maritime sector,” he said. He paid tribute to maritime workers worldwide, including those stranded in the Persian Gulf, while welcoming the the strong female presence in the audience: “When I look around this hall, I can see how many women are here. And I think that shows that we are breaking the stigma.” Sobering reality Speaking on the importance of gender mainstreaming in shipping, Professor Anna Petrig of the University of Basel highlighted “sobering” figures: women comprise a mere 1% of the global seafaring workforce. Representation declines further in ships’ operational roles, and more women than men leave before reaching senior positions. While acknowledging that “the headwinds are strong,” Professor Petrig stressed that gender mainstreaming is an essential tool for turning policy commitments into actual practice. Industry taking the lead Mia Krogslund Jørgensen, Vice President and Head of People, Culture and Strategy at the world’s largest tanker company, Hafnia, shared some solutions. The company raised female seafarer representation to 12% – well above the industry average, driven not by compliance but by a strategic decision “to expand the talent pool.” “We