GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Shipbuilding Industry Statistics

Shipbuilding industry slowly increases diversity, inclusion, with progress and ongoing challenges.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

On average, women in shipbuilding earn 20% less than their male counterparts in similar roles

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In a 2022 survey, 45% of minority employees in shipbuilding reported experiencing workplace discrimination

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70% of women in shipbuilding jobs report facing barriers such as lack of mentorship and wage gaps

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70% of companies with active DEI programs report higher employee satisfaction scores, according to recent surveys

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Women in technical roles within the industry report a 22% higher job satisfaction when working in inclusive environments

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The implementation of inclusive language policies in shipbuilding companies increased respectful workplace interactions by 18%

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24% of shipbuilding workforce surveys indicate a lack of trust in DEI initiatives among some employee groups, suggesting ongoing challenges

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Globally, only 10% of shipowners have explicit DEI clauses in their corporate policies

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Only 12% of mid-to-senior management roles in global shipbuilding companies are held by women

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Only 8% of shipbuilding industry executives are from ethnic minority backgrounds

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The average time for women to reach management positions in the shipbuilding industry is 9 years, compared to 6 years for men

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Representation of minority groups in senior leadership is rising slowly, with a 4% increase over five years

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The share of leadership roles held by women in shipbuilding increased from 7% in 2018 to 14% in 2023, showing gradual progress

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Women make up approximately 16% of the total workforce in the shipbuilding industry globally

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Diversity programs increased retention rates among minority employees by 21% in top shipbuilding firms

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32% of shipbuilding companies have implemented formal DEI policies

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Companies that promote inclusive hiring practices see a 15% increase in innovation, according to industry surveys

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29% of shipbuilding workers report feeling excluded from decision-making processes due to gender or ethnicity

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55% of employers in the shipbuilding industry believe that increasing DEI has a positive impact on company profitability

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In 2021, male workers represented over 80% of the shipbuilding workforce, with women making up around 18%

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The percentage of disabled workers in the shipbuilding industry is around 5%, significantly below the general workforce average

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40% of minority employees report a lack of career development opportunities within their shipbuilding companies

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Implementing diversity training programs led to a 10% decrease in workplace complaints related to discrimination

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The percentage of women in engineering roles within shipbuilding is approximately 12%, highlighting gender imbalance in technical fields

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60% of new entrants into the shipbuilding industry are from diverse ethnic backgrounds, indicating growing inclusivity at entry levels

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Only 25% of leadership programs in shipbuilding companies specifically target underrepresented groups

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LGBTQ+ inclusion initiatives are present in 20% of global shipbuilding firms

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33% of shipbuilding companies have reported difficulties in recruiting diverse talent, citing lack of outreach and awareness

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Industry-wide, 18% of shipbuilding apprenticeships are filled by women, highlighting ongoing gender imbalance

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48% of shipbuilding workers believe that diversity and inclusion initiatives have improved team collaboration

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65% of industry leaders agree that improving DEI is essential for the long-term sustainability of the shipbuilding industry

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The proportion of women in maritime safety roles within shipbuilding has quadrupled in the past decade, now at approximately 18%

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In 2023, 25% of shipbuilding industry survey respondents indicated that their companies had no formal DEI initiatives, a decrease from 35% in 2020, indicating progress

Statistic 34

80% of HR managers in shipbuilding believe that DEI initiatives help reduce turnover rates

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15% of shipbuilding companies actively measure the impact of their DEI programs through specific key performance indicators

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27% of shipbuilding firms have implemented mentorship programs aimed at supporting minority or female employees

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Only 13% of shipbuilding training scholarships are awarded to applicants from underrepresented backgrounds

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52% of employees in shipbuilding believe that greater diversity leads to better problem-solving and innovation

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Among shipbuilding industry employees, 18% identify as belonging to a racial or ethnic minority, indicating room for increased diversity

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The percentage of women participating in advanced technical training in shipbuilding is around 17%, demonstrating ongoing gender disparity in skill development

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70% of maritime companies report that diversity improves their ability to serve global markets

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The percentage of shipbuilding firms with a public DEI commitment increased from 10% in 2019 to 27% in 2023, indicating rising industry awareness

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Key Highlights

Women make up approximately 16% of the total workforce in the shipbuilding industry globally
Only 12% of mid-to-senior management roles in global shipbuilding companies are held by women
In a 2022 survey, 45% of minority employees in shipbuilding reported experiencing workplace discrimination
Diversity programs increased retention rates among minority employees by 21% in top shipbuilding firms
32% of shipbuilding companies have implemented formal DEI policies
Only 8% of shipbuilding industry executives are from ethnic minority backgrounds
70% of women in shipbuilding jobs report facing barriers such as lack of mentorship and wage gaps
The average time for women to reach management positions in the shipbuilding industry is 9 years, compared to 6 years for men
Companies that promote inclusive hiring practices see a 15% increase in innovation, according to industry surveys
29% of shipbuilding workers report feeling excluded from decision-making processes due to gender or ethnicity
55% of employers in the shipbuilding industry believe that increasing DEI has a positive impact on company profitability
In 2021, male workers represented over 80% of the shipbuilding workforce, with women making up around 18%
The percentage of disabled workers in the shipbuilding industry is around 5%, significantly below the general workforce average

Despite growing recognition of its importance, the shipbuilding industry continues to grapple with significant diversity, equity, and inclusion challenges, with women and minority groups underrepresented in key roles despite evidence that DEI initiatives boost innovation and profitability.

Economic Disparities and Compensation

On average, women in shipbuilding earn 20% less than their male counterparts in similar roles

Economic Disparities and Compensation Interpretation

The statistics reveal that even in shipbuilding, a profession steering towards inclusion, the anchor of salary disparity still drags women 20% behind their male colleagues, emphasizing that equality at sea remains a voyage yet to be fully navigated.

Employee Experience and Perceptions

In a 2022 survey, 45% of minority employees in shipbuilding reported experiencing workplace discrimination
70% of women in shipbuilding jobs report facing barriers such as lack of mentorship and wage gaps
70% of companies with active DEI programs report higher employee satisfaction scores, according to recent surveys
Women in technical roles within the industry report a 22% higher job satisfaction when working in inclusive environments
The implementation of inclusive language policies in shipbuilding companies increased respectful workplace interactions by 18%
24% of shipbuilding workforce surveys indicate a lack of trust in DEI initiatives among some employee groups, suggesting ongoing challenges

Employee Experience and Perceptions Interpretation

While nearly half of minority shipbuilders face discrimination and women encounter barriers, the promising boost in satisfaction and respectful interactions from DEI efforts underscores that navigating toward an inclusive industry is still a work in progress, demanding more than just policies—requiring a genuine cultural transformation.

Industry Policies and Program Implementation

Globally, only 10% of shipowners have explicit DEI clauses in their corporate policies

Industry Policies and Program Implementation Interpretation

With only 10% of global shipowners embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into their policies, the shipbuilding industry still has considerable waters to navigate toward truly equitable horizons.

Leadership Representation and Advancement

Only 12% of mid-to-senior management roles in global shipbuilding companies are held by women
Only 8% of shipbuilding industry executives are from ethnic minority backgrounds
The average time for women to reach management positions in the shipbuilding industry is 9 years, compared to 6 years for men
Representation of minority groups in senior leadership is rising slowly, with a 4% increase over five years
The share of leadership roles held by women in shipbuilding increased from 7% in 2018 to 14% in 2023, showing gradual progress

Leadership Representation and Advancement Interpretation

While shipbuilding’s diversity metrics are slowly making waves—women now hold 14% of leadership roles, and minority representation is inching upward—it’s clear that navigating the industry’s inclusion seas still requires a steady helm and a commitment to faster progress.

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Metrics

Women make up approximately 16% of the total workforce in the shipbuilding industry globally
Diversity programs increased retention rates among minority employees by 21% in top shipbuilding firms
32% of shipbuilding companies have implemented formal DEI policies
Companies that promote inclusive hiring practices see a 15% increase in innovation, according to industry surveys
29% of shipbuilding workers report feeling excluded from decision-making processes due to gender or ethnicity
55% of employers in the shipbuilding industry believe that increasing DEI has a positive impact on company profitability
In 2021, male workers represented over 80% of the shipbuilding workforce, with women making up around 18%
The percentage of disabled workers in the shipbuilding industry is around 5%, significantly below the general workforce average
40% of minority employees report a lack of career development opportunities within their shipbuilding companies
Implementing diversity training programs led to a 10% decrease in workplace complaints related to discrimination
The percentage of women in engineering roles within shipbuilding is approximately 12%, highlighting gender imbalance in technical fields
60% of new entrants into the shipbuilding industry are from diverse ethnic backgrounds, indicating growing inclusivity at entry levels
Only 25% of leadership programs in shipbuilding companies specifically target underrepresented groups
LGBTQ+ inclusion initiatives are present in 20% of global shipbuilding firms
33% of shipbuilding companies have reported difficulties in recruiting diverse talent, citing lack of outreach and awareness
Industry-wide, 18% of shipbuilding apprenticeships are filled by women, highlighting ongoing gender imbalance
48% of shipbuilding workers believe that diversity and inclusion initiatives have improved team collaboration
65% of industry leaders agree that improving DEI is essential for the long-term sustainability of the shipbuilding industry
The proportion of women in maritime safety roles within shipbuilding has quadrupled in the past decade, now at approximately 18%
In 2023, 25% of shipbuilding industry survey respondents indicated that their companies had no formal DEI initiatives, a decrease from 35% in 2020, indicating progress
80% of HR managers in shipbuilding believe that DEI initiatives help reduce turnover rates
15% of shipbuilding companies actively measure the impact of their DEI programs through specific key performance indicators
27% of shipbuilding firms have implemented mentorship programs aimed at supporting minority or female employees
Only 13% of shipbuilding training scholarships are awarded to applicants from underrepresented backgrounds
52% of employees in shipbuilding believe that greater diversity leads to better problem-solving and innovation
Among shipbuilding industry employees, 18% identify as belonging to a racial or ethnic minority, indicating room for increased diversity
The percentage of women participating in advanced technical training in shipbuilding is around 17%, demonstrating ongoing gender disparity in skill development
70% of maritime companies report that diversity improves their ability to serve global markets
The percentage of shipbuilding firms with a public DEI commitment increased from 10% in 2019 to 27% in 2023, indicating rising industry awareness

Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Metrics Interpretation

Despite the incremental progress reflected in increased DEI commitments and workforce diversity, the shipbuilding industry remains predominantly male and underrepresented in leadership and technical roles, suggesting that sailing toward true inclusivity still requires navigating turbulent waters.