A new report from the Global Maritime Forum and All Aboard Alliance lays bare the invisible barriers that keep shipping’s leadership ranks homogeneous — and warns that industry growth may be stunted if it can’t tap its full diversity.
The Diversifying Maritime Leadership survey — built on 108 in-depth interviews across sea and shore roles — reveals that 68% of women leaders say they’ve encountered bias tied to gender, race or identity in their careers, compared with just 33% of men.
Even more stark: 41% of respondents say they feel fully safe expressing their authentic selves at work; 15% reported experiences in the workplace scoring 3 or below on that scale.
The shipping sector is entering a talent crunch. The report notes a looming shortfall of 90,000 officers by 2026, making equitable leadership pipelines not just a social priority but a commercial imperative.
Yet the industry remains weighted toward entrenched norms. Many interviewees described leadership expectations wrapped in stereotypical ideals of masculinity or nationality. One commented that in meetings, “they questioned whether I had the authority to sign, despite it being my company.”
Unwritten gatekeeping looms large: evaluations, pay, promotions, and access to networks often lack transparency or favour the “boys’ club” crowd.
The authors flag six key barriers spanning societal norms, corporate culture and professional relationships, plus bridges to change. Mentorship, inclusive HR practices, visible role models, transparent promotion paths and flexible policies rank among the “bridges” that helped some leaders overcome hurdles.
