GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion In The Shipping Industry Statistics

Shipping industry faces slow progress, women, minorities, and DEI still underrepresented.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The global shipping industry emits nearly 1 Gt of CO2 annually, but only about 20% of these companies have climate policies addressing DEI

Statistic 2

Female officers are paid approximately 20% less than their male counterparts

Statistic 3

The shipping industry has a gender pay gap of approximately 22%, typical across various roles

Statistic 4

The industry’s DEI training participation rate is approximately 22%, indicating room for growth

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Women are 50% more likely to report experiences of harassment in maritime workplaces than men, highlighting the need for inclusive policies

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In some shipping firms, minority women report experiencing double discrimination, both for gender and ethnicity, affecting retention

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The number of women in maritime violence and harassment reports has increased by 20% over 5 years, pointing to ongoing DEI issues

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Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors

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Companies with active diversity policies see a 25% decrease in staff turnover rate

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Only 15% of the shipping industry's top management are women, indicating a significant gender gap

Statistic 11

The average retention rate for inclusive shipping companies is 15% higher, highlighting the benefit of DEI initiatives

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Women in maritime are more likely to leave their jobs within 5 years compared to men, due to lack of support and diversity policies

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Nearly 60% of shipping executives believe DEI initiatives can improve safety outcomes, but only 25% have implemented formal programs

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Career progression barriers for minority and female seafarers remain high, with only 10% reaching senior positions

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The retention rate for minority employees is 18% higher in companies with active inclusion programs, suggesting benefits of proactive policies

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About 12% of shipping industry leadership positions are held by ethnic minorities, showing slow diversification

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Shipping companies with more diverse boards are 20% more likely to have better corporate social responsibility ratings

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About 25% of shipping companies have formal DEI policies, though many lack effective implementation

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Cross-cultural training programs are only used in about 15% of shipping companies, limiting effective integration of multiethnic crews

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Women represent approximately 11% of the global seafarers

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Less than 2% of ship captains worldwide are women

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The shipping industry is projected to need an additional 40,000 skilled seafarers by 2030

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Only 2% of shipowners and managers are women

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Ethnic minorities comprise approximately 8% of the global seafarers

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The average age of seafarers is 48 years, indicating an aging workforce

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Approximately 30% of seafarers experience mental health issues, often linked to isolation and DEI challenges

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The percentage of women in senior shipping management roles is just 4%

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Only 5% of maritime apprenticeships are awarded to women

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Minority groups make up about 10% of the maritime workforce in North America

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Only 1.5% of certified ship surveyors are women

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Globally, women occupy less than 3% of all executive leadership roles in shipping companies

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About 40% of maritime workers are from developing countries, yet they often lack access to DEI training

Statistic 33

Ethnic diversity training is only available in about 18% of shipping companies worldwide

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Around 10% of seafarers identify as part of a minority ethnic group, according to recent surveys

Statistic 35

Only 3% of maritime research funding is allocated specifically toward DEI initiatives, indicating underinvestment

Statistic 36

The percentage of shipping companies adopting flexible working arrangements for maritime staff is less than 10%, limiting inclusion for diverse employees

Statistic 37

The proportion of LGBTQ+ individuals in maritime is estimated at around 2-3%, though underreporting is common due to stigma

Statistic 38

Only 12% of shipping apprenticeships are offered to students from underrepresented groups, despite efforts to increase diversity

Statistic 39

The number of multiracial crews is increasing, with about 5% of crews now identified as multicultural

Statistic 40

Shipping companies that have implemented DEI policies report 30% higher employee satisfaction scores

Statistic 41

Only 20% of maritime training programs include dedicated DEI modules, suggesting underemphasis

Statistic 42

The global gender representation within the maritime industry has increased by only 1% over the past decade, indicating slow progress

Statistic 43

70% of shipping companies believe DEI initiatives are critical to future success, but only 45% have specific goals

Statistic 44

About 35% of shipping employees from marginalized communities experience unconscious bias daily, according to recent surveys

Statistic 45

Indigenous and minority groups represent roughly 5% of the maritime workforce in certain regions, yet face higher barriers to entry

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Key Highlights

Women represent approximately 11% of the global seafarers
Less than 2% of ship captains worldwide are women
The shipping industry is projected to need an additional 40,000 skilled seafarers by 2030
Only 2% of shipowners and managers are women
Ethnic minorities comprise approximately 8% of the global seafarers
The average age of seafarers is 48 years, indicating an aging workforce
Approximately 30% of seafarers experience mental health issues, often linked to isolation and DEI challenges
Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors
The percentage of women in senior shipping management roles is just 4%
Only 5% of maritime apprenticeships are awarded to women
Minority groups make up about 10% of the maritime workforce in North America
The global shipping industry emits nearly 1 Gt of CO2 annually, but only about 20% of these companies have climate policies addressing DEI
Female officers are paid approximately 20% less than their male counterparts

Despite formidable industry challenges and persistent gender and ethnic disparities, embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the global shipping industry could unlock higher performance, safer workplaces, and a more sustainable future—if only we commit to meaningful change.

Environmental Impact and Sustainability

The global shipping industry emits nearly 1 Gt of CO2 annually, but only about 20% of these companies have climate policies addressing DEI

Environmental Impact and Sustainability Interpretation

While the global shipping industry belches out nearly a gigaton of CO₂ annually, a mere fifth of its companies are steering towards inclusive climate policies, highlighting a need for both environmental and social recalibration on the high seas.

Gender and Ethnic Disparities and Inclusion

Female officers are paid approximately 20% less than their male counterparts
The shipping industry has a gender pay gap of approximately 22%, typical across various roles
The industry’s DEI training participation rate is approximately 22%, indicating room for growth
Women are 50% more likely to report experiences of harassment in maritime workplaces than men, highlighting the need for inclusive policies
In some shipping firms, minority women report experiencing double discrimination, both for gender and ethnicity, affecting retention
The number of women in maritime violence and harassment reports has increased by 20% over 5 years, pointing to ongoing DEI issues

Gender and Ethnic Disparities and Inclusion Interpretation

Despite industry efforts, the shipping sector's persistent gender pay gap, elevated harassment reports, and disproportionate discrimination against minority women underscore a pressing need for meaningful DEI initiatives to navigate the turbulent waters of equality.

Leadership, Career Progression, and Retention

Companies with diverse leadership are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors
Companies with active diversity policies see a 25% decrease in staff turnover rate
Only 15% of the shipping industry's top management are women, indicating a significant gender gap
The average retention rate for inclusive shipping companies is 15% higher, highlighting the benefit of DEI initiatives
Women in maritime are more likely to leave their jobs within 5 years compared to men, due to lack of support and diversity policies
Nearly 60% of shipping executives believe DEI initiatives can improve safety outcomes, but only 25% have implemented formal programs
Career progression barriers for minority and female seafarers remain high, with only 10% reaching senior positions
The retention rate for minority employees is 18% higher in companies with active inclusion programs, suggesting benefits of proactive policies
About 12% of shipping industry leadership positions are held by ethnic minorities, showing slow diversification
Shipping companies with more diverse boards are 20% more likely to have better corporate social responsibility ratings

Leadership, Career Progression, and Retention Interpretation

Despite compelling evidence that diversity drives performance and safety, the shipping industry's gender and ethnic disparities persist, suggesting it's time to navigate from mere acknowledgment to charting a course toward true inclusion—lest we set sail with a crew still unbalanced in representation and opportunity.

Policy Adoption, Training, and Industry Initiatives

About 25% of shipping companies have formal DEI policies, though many lack effective implementation
Cross-cultural training programs are only used in about 15% of shipping companies, limiting effective integration of multiethnic crews

Policy Adoption, Training, and Industry Initiatives Interpretation

With only a quarter of shipping companies adopting formal DEI policies and a mere 15% implementing cross-cultural training, the industry’s progress toward truly navigating diversity remains adrift—highlighting that having policies on paper isn’t enough to anchor genuine inclusivity in practice.

Workforce Diversity and Representation in Maritime Industry

Women represent approximately 11% of the global seafarers
Less than 2% of ship captains worldwide are women
The shipping industry is projected to need an additional 40,000 skilled seafarers by 2030
Only 2% of shipowners and managers are women
Ethnic minorities comprise approximately 8% of the global seafarers
The average age of seafarers is 48 years, indicating an aging workforce
Approximately 30% of seafarers experience mental health issues, often linked to isolation and DEI challenges
The percentage of women in senior shipping management roles is just 4%
Only 5% of maritime apprenticeships are awarded to women
Minority groups make up about 10% of the maritime workforce in North America
Only 1.5% of certified ship surveyors are women
Globally, women occupy less than 3% of all executive leadership roles in shipping companies
About 40% of maritime workers are from developing countries, yet they often lack access to DEI training
Ethnic diversity training is only available in about 18% of shipping companies worldwide
Around 10% of seafarers identify as part of a minority ethnic group, according to recent surveys
Only 3% of maritime research funding is allocated specifically toward DEI initiatives, indicating underinvestment
The percentage of shipping companies adopting flexible working arrangements for maritime staff is less than 10%, limiting inclusion for diverse employees
The proportion of LGBTQ+ individuals in maritime is estimated at around 2-3%, though underreporting is common due to stigma
Only 12% of shipping apprenticeships are offered to students from underrepresented groups, despite efforts to increase diversity
The number of multiracial crews is increasing, with about 5% of crews now identified as multicultural
Shipping companies that have implemented DEI policies report 30% higher employee satisfaction scores
Only 20% of maritime training programs include dedicated DEI modules, suggesting underemphasis
The global gender representation within the maritime industry has increased by only 1% over the past decade, indicating slow progress
70% of shipping companies believe DEI initiatives are critical to future success, but only 45% have specific goals
About 35% of shipping employees from marginalized communities experience unconscious bias daily, according to recent surveys
Indigenous and minority groups represent roughly 5% of the maritime workforce in certain regions, yet face higher barriers to entry

Workforce Diversity and Representation in Maritime Industry Interpretation

Despite a growing acknowledgment of its importance, the shipping industry’s DEI statistics reveal a slow voyage towards inclusivity, with women making up just 11% of seafarers, minorities facing systemic barriers, and only a handful of companies charting a course with meaningful policies—highlighting that the industry must navigate from acknowledgment to action before it truly reaches its destination of diversity and equity.