The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has found female representation at sea remains a laggard and called on shipping companies to employ more women as seafarers.
In efforts to promote a diverse and inclusive working environment in international shipping, the trade group conducted a survey of 240 shipping firms in autumn 2019.
The survey revealed that just 7.5% of total seafarers were female, despite that almost 60% of the companies had female officers aboard their ships.
Moreover, 30% of the companies had women in their boardrooms.
In the ICS Diversity Tracker report published on Tuesday, the trade group said the proportion of female seafarers should increase from 7.5% to 12% in the next three years and to 25% in 20 years.
“Many industry sectors have been focusing on diversity for many years but the shipping industry as a whole has been disappointingly behind the curve,” said Natalie Shaw, director of employment affairs at the ICS.
“The ICS Diversity Study Report aims to outline where we are now and where we need to get to as an industry in the next few years.
“As the principal association for the international shipping sector, ICS is committed to build an inclusive workplace where all individuals feel welcome and whose contributions are valued.”
Research also revealed that the average ship has a mix of at least three nationalities on board, and sometimes as many as thirty. At least three languages were spoken on average.
However, only half of the surveyed companies said that they were promoting and encouraging diversity and inclusion activities amongst crews or during their hiring process.
“We find a diversified workforce, both on board our ships and at the office one of our strongest assets,” MF Shipping chief executive Karin Orsel said.
“Diversity, equality and inclusiveness are key in providing a sustainable future for the global maritime industry and our company,” added Orsel, who is also chair of an ICS diversity panel.
