Maersk's 'Equal at Sea' Initiative Driving a Sea Change in Maritime Diversity

Maersk’s ‘Equal At Sea’ Initiative Achieves 45% Women Cadets in India

A.P. Moller – Maersk has made significant progress in gender equality within the maritime sector through its “Equal At Sea” initiative in India. The company announced that 45% of Nautical and Engineering cadets onboarded in 2024 are women, marking a substantial step towards its 2027 goal of equal gender representation in cadet intake.

Launched in 2022, Maersk’s ‘Equal At Sea’ program aims to address the historical underrepresentation of women in seafaring roles and create a more inclusive ecosystem for the entire Indian maritime sector. The initiative has yielded impressive results, with the number of Indian women seafarers increasing from 41 in 2021 to over 350 in 2024.

“Our continuous efforts and immense support from the industry has started realising the future of creating an equitable environment at sea for women to thrive in. Getting to 45% has been a great team effort within Maersk and across the industry,” said Karan Kochhar, Head of Marine People, Asia at Maersk.

The success in India has contributed to Maersk’s global progress in improving gender diversity. The number of women seafarers in the Maersk 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.

“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.

As part of the initiative, Maersk has also launched a Women Rating Programme, which began with 22 women trainees in India in 2023 and has since expanded to 70 women ratings undergoing training.

Moving forward, Maersk remains committed to fostering an inclusive environment and breaking barriers in the maritime industry. The company aims to extend its efforts beyond cadet onboarding to recruitment and creating an environment that allows women to thrive in this traditionally male-dominated sector.

This progress in gender equality not only benefits Maersk but also sets a precedent for the entire maritime industry, potentially leading to increased innovation, sustainability, and growth in the global shipping community.