• 45% of Maersk’s new cadets in India are women – inching closer to its 2027 goal of equal gender representation.
• Indian women seafarers surged from 41 to over 350 in just three years – showing a strong commitment to gender diversity.
• Maersk’s global fleet sees a rise in women seafarers – from 295 in 2021 to over 650 in 2024, doubling gender diversity.

Maersk Reaches New Milestone in ‘Equal At Sea’ Initiative

A.P. Moller – Maersk has achieved a remarkable milestone in its ‘Equal At Sea’ initiative. With 45% of the Nautical and Engineering cadets onboarded in India for 2024 being women, the company is on track to reach its goal of equal gender representation by 2027.

Driving Gender Equality in Indian Maritime Sector

Since its launch in 2022, the ‘Equal At Sea’ program has made significant strides in addressing the historical underrepresentation of women in the Indian maritime sector.

“The seas know no gender. By championing diversity in maritime careers, Maersk is not only steering towards equality but also charting a course for innovation and growth in the shipping industry,” said His Excellency Freddy Svane, Ambassador of Denmark to India, during the ‘Equal At Sea’ conference in Mumbai.

Key Achievements and Growth in India

• Indian Women Seafarers: The number of Indian women seafarers has skyrocketed from 41 in 2021 to over 350 in 2024.
• Nautical and Engineering Streams: Women now make up 45% of cadet intake, with the Nautical division surpassing 50%.
• Women Rating Programme: Introduced in 2023, the program began with 22 women trainees. It has since expanded to 70 women in training.

“Getting to 45% has been a great team effort within Maersk and across the industry. Now is the time to keep the momentum up and ensure that the women recruited are also retained in the fleet,” said Karan Kochhar, Head of Marine People, Asia, Maersk.

Related Article: 2024 Equality Index Report Reveals 45% of Companies Now Publish Disability Data: Disability:IN

Global Impact and Future Goals

Maersk’s success in India has been echoed globally. The number of women seafarers in its fleet has more than doubled from 295 in 2021 to over 650 in 2024. The percentage of women in Maersk’s global seafarer pool has risen from 2.3% in 2022 to 5.5% in 2024.

Looking Ahead

As Maersk continues to break barriers, it remains dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment and supporting women’s career growth in the maritime industry. With ongoing initiatives like the Women Rating Programme and continued industry partnerships, Maersk is set to keep pushing the boundaries of gender diversity and equality.