A new Global Maritime Forum report reveals how outdated norms and exclusionary practices prevent the maritime sector from realising the full potential of its leadership talent.
The report, Diversifying Maritime Leadership, is based on 108 in-depth interviews with leaders working both at sea and on shore. The findings point to both progress and persistent challenges in creating inclusive leadership pipelines.
The interviews uncovered three overarching areas where barriers to leadership diversity persist:
Societal norms and expectations that shape perceptions of who is “fit” to lead
Company culture and policies that unintentionally disadvantage underrepresented groups
Professional relationships that can either empower or marginalise capable leaders
Interviewees shared stories of discrimination and missed opportunities: women engineers asked to take notes instead of contributing technically, cadets assigned only cleaning duties, young parents leaving due to lack of family support, and LGBTQ+ leaders concealing their identity for fear of safety, to name just a few.
These barriers to career advancement come at the same time that the maritime sector is facing a growing talent shortage, with a projected shortage of 90,000 trained officers by 2026. The maritime workforce is also contending with the disruptions caused by decarbonisation, digitalisation, and automation.
While these experiences illustrate the cost of exclusion, the report also identifies three critical “bridges”, namely, mentorship, inclusive policies, and supportive professional networks that enable talent of all backgrounds to thrive.
The report concludes that hiring diverse leaders alone is not enough; companies must also provide the structures and everyday practices that allow them to succeed. By removing barriers and strengthening bridges, the maritime sector can unlock untapped leadership potential, improve workforce satisfaction, and enhance its long-term sustainability.
The Global Maritime Forum developed the Diversifying Maritime Leadership report in collaboration with All Aboard Alliance member companies. Read it here.