The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) launched a new website for women seafarers on 7 March 2025.
The Women at Sea website was created by ITF affiliates to promote the inclusion and promotion of women in the maritime industry. The website aims to help create a global network for women seafarers, but the webinar heard it was also important for everyone to be a member of one of the ITF-affiliated trade unions.
Speakers from across the industry, included female working seafarers, shared their insights during a panel discussion on how to foster a more inclusive maritime sector.
Elisza Chomi, a chief engineer and fleet manager, said adapting to the ‘new norms’ were among the key challenges for all, and that continuous learning was needed to prepare for the advance of green technology, and larger ship sizes.
Meanwhile, a speaker from Maersk also touched on how it was addressing some of the other challenges for women where improvements are still needed such as for safer protective equipment in relevant gendered sizes, vessel design, and training for respectful responses when dealing with difficult situations.
ITF maritime coordinator Jacqueline Smith chaired the session, which was also joined by International Maritime Organization secretary general Arsenio Dominguez.
To remind, the maritime industry also saw the launch of a helpline to provide female seafarers with access to a trusted, female-led support system whenever they need it. Female cadets and seafarers can choose to speak in confidence to a female on the 24/7 helpline offered by Sailors’ Society.
