The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has held its annual International Day for Women in Maritime on May 18th. This event began as a way for IMO to show commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals on gender equality, with the goal to address gender imbalance as well as promote the recruitment and long term employment of women in the maritime sector. The event included a live podcast recording of two key speakers, an overview of the 2024 Women in Maritime Survey results, and the IMO Gender Equality Award ceremony which honoured Karin Orsel this year.
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Recognizing Efforts and Realities
Beginning in May of 2021, IMO’s annual celebration of Women’s Day is full of different relevant speakers as well as presentations of important collected data. This initiative recognises the contributions of women in the maritime sector. Organisations hosting events like these is the bare minimum because all organisations should actively promote inclusion rather than simply talk about it. At the same time, it is also very commendable. Taking visible and intentional steps can start important conversations and demonstrate a genuine commitment to equity. This may seem like a conflicting viewpoint, being both critical and appreciative, but it is important to acknowledge the effort before highlighting the key moments of the day.
While much progress has been made through the years, IMO is an organisation that will openly admit that there have been shortcomings regarding diversity in maritime careers. Their ability to acknowledge this is monumental as it gives precedence to other organisations that the only true way to improve is to know what went wrong in the past. Whilst recording the first live podcast done at the IMO headquarters, Mr. Karanvir Singh Nayyar stated that this event is important for men as well because understanding the women’s perspective in this field will allow work to be carried out safely and effectively.
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Inspiring Voices
I’d like to take this opportunity to acknowledge a couple of speakers who stood out as exemplary trailblazers for women in the maritime industry. Whilst being interviewed for the aforementioned podcast, Captain Josephine Clark and Ms. Mariam Al Shaikh both spoke about their perspectives working in a male-dominated field and their journey to the positions and ranks that they hold today. While both women have displayed immense dedication and intelligence to be where they are, they had very different stories and timelines that I felt were important to tell young women.
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Captain Josephine Clark is the president of the Australasian Marine Pilots Institute (AMPI). She began her journey in 1989 as a Deck Cadet, the third woman to ever be hired by her employer’s company. Her work in pilotage started when she was 34 years old and has progressed over the past 19 years. Her position as president of the AMPI involves the management of representing marine pilots’ best interests.
Her story is a great example of where hard work and patience can take you. She didn’t get to the top overnight. Instead, she put in years of effort, learning, and pushing through challenges. In an industry where women can still be underrepresented, Captain Clark has shown what’s possible when you stay determined.
For young women looking to make their mark and lead in tough fields, she’s a true inspiration. Her journey shows that while it might take time and persistence, reaching your goals is worth it. She has not just made a name for herself, but she’s opened doors for others to follow and helped pave the way for future leaders to believe in themselves and go after what they want.
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Ms. Mariam Al Shaikh is a Deck Cadet currently obtaining her BSC in Maritime Transport at Sharjah Maritime Academy. She has an interesting and important story, considering that one could believe that she is just beginning of her career journey by her position in this industry. Ms. Mariam Al Shaikh has already completed an entire ‘chapter of life’ regarding professional work, as she was working in dentistry before transitioning to the maritime industry. She claimed that watching her brother’s work in the maritime sector deeply interested her, and after a year of the initial COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, she decided to pursue her passion for the sea.
Mariam’s journey is a reminder that it’s okay to change direction in life. Shifting careers isn’t about being unsure or indecisive, it’s about growing and learning. People can have more than one calling, and choosing to explore something different takes courage. She shows that it’s never too late to follow your curiosity or begin doing something you truly love. It’s a powerful example of how pursuing multiple passions over time can lead to a more fulfilled and meaningful life.
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Women in Maritime Survey 2024
The IMO-WISTA Women in Maritime Survey 2024 is a project by the International Maritime Organisation and WISTA International. WISTA, or Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association, is an organisation that connects female executives globally with a mission of supporting women in the maritime, trading, and logistics sectors. The survey aims to learn more about how many women work in the maritime industry and what kinds of jobs they do. The goal is to use this information to help improve gender equality and support more women in joining and growing in the sector.
The survey found that women still make up a small part of the maritime workforce, especially in leadership roles. While some progress has been made, many companies and countries still lack clear policies to support gender equality. The results also showed that most women in the industry work in shore-based jobs rather than at sea. These insights highlight the need for more action to create equal opportunities and a more inclusive working environment in the maritime industry.
In this year’s discussion of the survey results, speakers concluded that action to positively develop future results should be prioritised. This includes, but is not limited to, investing in women-focused networks, increasing reporting transparency, and improving gender policy implementation.
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IMO Gender Equality Award ceremony
The IMO Gender Equality Award recognises individuals who have made significant contributions to advancing gender equality and empowering women in the maritime industry. There were many incredible nominees for the 2025 award, such as Ms. Flavia Takafashi, Capt. Chunpei Zhan, Ms. Jun Min, Ms. Elvina Adelina Bustavina Cedeño, and Ms. Katie Ware. Unfortunately, only one person was able to leave with the award. However, I felt it was important to say the names of all of these incredibly deserving women.
On 16 May 2025, Karin Orsel received the IMO Gender Equality Award for her outstanding work in promoting women in the maritime industry. Starting her career at just 18, she went on to co-found MF Shipping Group and has led it for over 20 years. Beyond building a successful company, she’s been a strong advocate for mentoring women and creating inclusive workplaces. IMO praised her as a role model who has opened doors for many others in the field.
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez praised Ms. Orsel as a role model, stating, “She is changing the face of the maritime sector, one ship and one person at a time. Throughout her 30-year career, she has not only broken many glass ceilings, she has then enthusiastically opened the door for others to follow in her footsteps.”
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The conclusion of the day
The stories, data, and voices shared during this year’s International Day for Women in Maritime are powerful reminders of what’s possible. Whether you’re just beginning your career or thinking about changing paths, there is space for women in traditionally ‘male fields’ and people ready to support your journey. Women like Captain Josephine Clark, Ms. Mariam Al Shaikh, and Karin Orsel show that leadership, passion, and resilience can reshape industries. To all young women reading this: don’t be afraid to take up space, follow your curiosity, and lead with confidence, especially in places that aren’t used to it.