Norway takes steps to boost gender equality in maritime

Harald Fotland, President of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association and CEO of Odfjell SE signed a cooperation declaration on behalf of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association, reinforcing the industry’s commitment to these values. “Signing this declaration is a binding commitment,” he emphasized. “It is very positive that we are formalizing a collaboration with the authorities. By committing to annual monitoring and reporting on developments, we can work even more purposefully than we do today.”

Our industry has a long tradition of leading the way – when strong forces challenge equality, diversity and inclusion globally, we will continue to lead the way and stand up for our principles

… said Harald Fotland, President of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association and CEO of Odfjell SE.

Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Marianne Sivertsen Næss, signed on behalf of the government. She acknowledged the association’s proactive stance: “The members of the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association take equality work seriously. The maritime industry has a great need for talent, and to succeed, we must recruit from the entire population.”

Several initiatives are already underway to promote diversity and restructuring within the industry. Notably, the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association has signed WISTA’s “40 by 30” initiative, which aims to achieve 40% female representation in management positions by 2030.

For such efforts to be effective, strong leadership commitment is crucial. This remains a key priority for the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association’s board and will be a central theme in the strategy to be adopted at the upcoming general meeting on April 1.

The association itself leads by example, with women making up 40% of its board’s permanent members and 50% of its deputy members. Additionally, seven out of ten member companies have implemented measures to increase female representation at all levels. Recruitment campaigns and the ambassador program of Maritim Karriere also focus on showcasing diverse role models to inspire the next generation of maritime professionals.

Through these commitments and initiatives, the Norwegian Shipowners’ Association continues to drive meaningful change, ensuring that the industry remains inclusive, dynamic, and forward-looking.

These maritime industry players signed:

• The Norwegian Machinists’ Association
• The Fast Boat Association
• Coastal shipping companies
• NHO Shipping
• Norwegian Shipowners’ Association
• Norwegian Seamen’s Union
• Norwegian Naval Officers’ Association
• The Norwegian Maritime Authority
• Seafood Norway

Gender Equality Strategy for the Maritime Sector

To remind, the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries had previously announced a “Gender Equality Strategy for the Maritime Sector.” Proposed in this strategy was that the Norwegian Government will:

• Initiate dialogue with the maritime educational institutions concerning how to increase recruitment from all genders.
• Initiate information campaigns relating to career opportunities in the maritime sector that are targeted at girls of lower secondary school age.
• Include a diversity and gender equality perspective in all maritime policymaking.
• Use international arenas, such as the IMO and ILO, to promote gender equality and diversity in the maritime sector.
• Incorporate diversity and gender equality into the Norwegian mandate for the work on the revision of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) in the IMO.
• Update descriptions for the courses that the Norwegian Maritime Authority prepares in cooperation with the maritime industry to ensure that gender-neutral terms are used.
• Update the wording of Norwegian maritime legislation to ensure that gender-neutral terms are used.
• Strengthen the Norwegian Maritime Authority’s information work on gender equality vis-à-vis the industry and employees.
• Ratify ILO Convention No. 190.
• Present a report to the Norwegian Parliament (white paper) on sexual harassment in 2024.
• Consider amendments to Norwegian maritime legislation to highlight and strengthen efforts to combat harassment.
• Strengthen the Norwegian Maritime Authority’s supervisory role in connection with harassment.
• Assess the need for amendments to Norwegian maritime legislation to promote gender equality.
• Make amendments to the Equality and Anti-Discrimination Act to highlight that employees who are covered by the Ship Labour Act have the same protection under the Act as employees who have an employment relationship pursuant to the Working Environment Act.