Maersk advances gender equality with 45% women cadets in India

INDIA – A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk), a global leader in logistics, has announced a major milestone in its ‘Equal At Sea’ initiative.

The company achieved 45% intake of women cadets in India for 2024, marking significant progress toward its 2027 goal of equal gender representation in its seafaring workforce.

This is part of Maersk’s broader effort to promote diversity and inclusion across the global shipping industry.

Launched in 2022, the ‘Equal At Sea’ initiative is aimed at addressing the historical underrepresentation of women in the maritime sector.

The program works to create a more inclusive environment by facilitating collaboration among industry stakeholders to exchange best practices and drive gender diversity.

Karan Kochhar, Head of Marine People, Asia, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “Our efforts have inspired more women in India to choose seafaring as a career. Reaching 45% in our 2024 intake is a testament to the industry’s collective effort,” said Kochhar.

“The next step is ensuring that the women we recruit are retained and supported throughout their careers.”

India, a key region for Maersk’s operations, has seen a dramatic rise in the number of female seafarers. In just three years, the number has increased from 41 in 2021 to over 350 in 2024.

This rapid growth is partly due to Maersk’s ‘Women Rating Programme,’ launched in 2023, which has expanded to train 70 women in its latest intake.

Aligning gender diversity with sustainable shipping goals

Alongside its commitment to gender equality, Maersk has also made significant strides in its environmental sustainability efforts.

The success of the ‘Equal At Sea’ initiative aligns with Maersk’s broader goals of leading innovation and sustainability in the shipping industry.

Most recently, Maersk co-hosted Japan’s first methanol bunkering simulation at the Port of Yokohama.

This development, part of Maersk’s initiative to promote methanol as a green fuel alternative, saw the involvement of Alette Maersk, the company’s fifth dual-fuel methanol vessel, and Kokuka Sangyo’s methanol tanker, Eikamaru. The simulation tested key operations such as berthing, unberthing, and hose connections.

“The insights gained from this simulation will serve as valuable references as Japan develops its methanol bunkering infrastructure and guidelines,” said NAKAGAWA Kenzo, Director of the Industrial Port Policy Division at the Ports and Harbours Bureau.

This initiative builds on the Memorandum of Understanding signed between Maersk, the City of Yokohama, and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, underscoring Maersk’s commitment to developing sustainable fuel alternatives.

As Maersk nears its 2027 target for gender equality in seafaring, the company continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in both diversity and sustainability.

The achievements in India and the developments in methanol bunkering highlight Maersk’s dedication to fostering an inclusive and environmentally conscious maritime industry.