A new Greek study reveals that Greece is experiencing one of the fastest increases in female maritime employment globally. Over the past five years, the number of registered female seafarers has risen sharply, marking significant progress in a sector long dominated by men. The findings highlight Greece’s leading position in gender inclusion within the maritime workforce and point to a promising future for women pursuing seafaring careers.
Significant Growth in Women Seafarers
According to the study International Best Practices for Promoting Women’s Employment at Sea, conducted by Professor Gabriel Amitsis, the number of registered female seafarers increased from 1,237 in 2020 to 2,048 in 2024 a rise of 65.6%. Year-on-year growth from 2023 to 2024 alone reached 11.4%, demonstrating sustained momentum.
This progress places Greece far ahead of international and European averages, where women accounted for only 1.2% (global, 2021) and 2.4% (EU, 2022) of the maritime workforce. Today, women represent 7.8% of all registered Greek seafarers, one of the highest rates worldwide.
Rising Participation Across Training and Cadet Roles
The study also highlights increasing interest among women entering maritime education and training. The proportion of female cadets and trainee seafarers has climbed to 11.8% in 2024, up from 10% in 2023. Monthly data also confirms an upward trend, with female registrations in August 2024 rising 11.8% compared to the same month the previous year.
This contrasts sharply with global statistics from the IMO–WISTA 2024 Survey, which show that women account for only 1% of all seafarers worldwide, reflecting how exceptional Greece’s progress truly is.
Greece’s rapid growth in female maritime employment showcases a transformative shift in one of the world’s most traditional industries. With rising numbers of active female seafarers, growing participation in maritime academies, and performance far above global and European averages, Greece is emerging as a benchmark for gender diversity in shipping. These positive trends signal a more inclusive and dynamic future for the Greek maritime sector.
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Source: Safety4Sea
