The maritime industry is witnessing a positive shift toward greater gender diversity, with major shipping company CMA CGM achieving remarkable progress in recruiting and promoting women at sea. Launched in December 2024, the She Sails initiative has successfully doubled the number of female seafarers in the company's fleet within just one year.

By the end of 2025, CMA CGM reported 403 women working as seafarers, up from 200 in 2024. This represents more than a 100 percent increase, highlighting the program's rapid impact on attracting and retaining women in maritime roles.

The She Sails program focuses on several key areas to support women in the industry. It aims to draw more women into seafaring careers by showcasing the diverse opportunities available within the company. It also provides guidance for young women exploring jobs at sea and encourages experienced female seafarers to share their stories to motivate others.

Christine Cabau Woehrel, Executive Vice President responsible for Operations and Assets at CMA CGM, noted that the initiative has proven highly effective in its debut year. Results have surpassed initial expectations, with women advancing faster into important roles, building greater confidence, and contributing to more diverse and high-performing teams.

This year alone saw 74 promotions for women seafarers. Among these, eight reached senior officer positions, which are the top four levels of onboard responsibility. Additionally, 48 advanced from cadet to junior officer, and one moved from deckhand to qualified deckhand, marking a notable milestone.

The program has built a strong global support network, including 42 ambassadors spread across 19 countries. CMA CGM has also forged closer ties with maritime training institutions. Three partnership agreements were signed this year, one in Abu Dhabi and two in India. Further collaborations are in development for the Philippines and Indonesia to boost recruitment of female cadets.

Looking ahead, CMA CGM has raised its ambitions, targeting 1,000 women seafarers by 2030. This goal underscores the company's ongoing dedication to equality and inclusion in the merchant navy.

For aspiring seafarers, initiatives like She Sails demonstrate that the industry is evolving to welcome more women. Proper training, such as Basic Safety Training (BST) and other STCW certifications, remains essential for anyone pursuing a career at sea. Online platforms offer flexible options to complete these requirements from anywhere.

The success of programs like this not only enhances crew diversity but also strengthens overall operational performance on vessels. As more companies follow suit, the maritime sector could see sustained growth in female participation, opening doors for the next generation of professionals.

Source: Based on reports from Marine Insight and CMA CGM announcements (December 2025).