Columbia Group calls for greater focus on retaining women in shipping

October 26 ------ The Columbia Group has called on the maritime industry to prioritize the retention and career advancement of women seafarers, emphasizing that recruitment alone is insufficient to address the industry’s persistent gender imbalance.

The call was made during the second She Beyond conference in Manila, held as part of Crew Connect Global, where female seafarers gathered to share experiences, discuss career opportunities, and explore ways to strengthen support for women working at sea.

According to the latest IMO-WISTA Women in Maritime Survey, published in May 2025, women account for just 1% of seafarers employed by the organizations surveyed, highlighting the continuing challenges surrounding female representation, retention, and professional development.

Claudia Paschkewitz, Director of Sustainability, Inclusion, and Diversity at the Columbia Group, stressed that increasing the number of women entering shipping is only part of the challenge. "We have talked for years about attracting more women to shipping, but recruitment is just the beginning. Real progress is reflected in whether women have the same opportunities to stay, advance, and build sustainable careers," she explained and emphasized the need to assess whether women receive adequate support, equal opportunities for advancement, and access to leadership positions throughout their maritime careers.

In an exclusive interview to SAFETY4SEA, Claudia Paschkewitz, had highlighted that a key priority should be strengthening mentorship and training programs while fostering leadership diversity. Additionally, more companies need to implement flexible work policies to ensure long-term career sustainability for all employees.

As part of its efforts, Columbia Group operates a Female Cadet Mentorship Program, connecting women entering the profession with experienced female mentors who provide practical guidance and support as they adapt to life at sea. The She Beyond initiative also seeks to establish a network through which female seafarers can exchange experiences, develop professional connections, and support one another.

Meanwhile, practical measures such as the company’s iCare Packs for Women Seafarers, which contain medical readiness and personal care items, aim to address the specific needs of women working onboard.

Columbia Group emphasized that such initiatives must be accompanied by respectful onboard working environments, transparent career development pathways, and greater accountability for fair treatment.

The central message of the conference was that improving gender representation in shipping requires sustained efforts not only to attract women into maritime professions but also to ensure they can remain, progress, and build long-term careers at sea. "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," said Simona Toma, Chief of Maritime HR at Columbia Group.

Source: safety4sea.com