- IMO/WISTA Survey Shows Sharp Decline in Female Representation.
- Private Sector Female Participation Falls to 16% from 29%.
- Women in Mid-Management Halved Since 2021.
The latest findings from the IMO/WISTA survey on women’s representation in the maritime industry have raised some eyebrows, indicating that the sector might be regressing despite previous signs of improvement, reports Lloyd’s List.
Survey Launched to Track Female Participation
Back in 2021, the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) kicked off a global survey to collect data on women in the maritime field. The second edition of this survey was just released last week, perfectly timed with the International Day for Women in Maritime on May 18, 2025.
Overall Numbers Up, but Representation Declines
The 2024 survey revealed that there are now 176,820 women working in both the private and public sectors—an increase of 14% from the 151,979 reported in 2021. However, this growth hasn’t kept up with the overall expansion of the maritime workforce. Consequently, women now represent just under 19% of the sampled workforce, a drop from 26% in 2021.
Sharp Drop in Private Sector and Management Roles
The decline is even more striking in the private sector, where female participation plummeted from 29% in 2021 to just over 16% in 2024. Alarmingly, the representation of women in mid-management roles fell from 39% to 20%, signalling a significant setback in leadership positions.
Industry Leaders React to Disappointing Findings
Lloyd’s List reporter Joshua Minchin reached out to key industry figures, including WISTA president Elpi Petraki, to delve into the implications of these findings. Their conversations revolved around whether the maritime industry is at a pivotal moment regarding gender diversity and inclusion.
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Source: Lloyd’s List
