10 Facts Why It Is Still Difficult for Women to Become Seafarers

1. The Maritime Industry Was Historically Male-Dominated

For centuries, the sea profession developed as a male-dominated environment. Traditionally, ships were crewed almost entirely by men, and maritime culture evolved around that structure. Because of this long history, many stereotypes still exist. In some regions, people still believe that the sea is “not a place for women,” which can discourage young women from even considering maritime careers.

2. Limited Awareness About Maritime Careers for Women

Many girls simply do not know that maritime careers are available to them. Unlike aviation or medicine, the maritime industry rarely appears in school career guidance programs. As a result, young women often learn about opportunities at sea much later, sometimes after choosing another profession.

3. Fewer Training Opportunities

Although maritime academies are open to women in most countries today, the number of female cadets is still relatively small. In some cases, women face difficulties during the cadetship stage — the period of onboard training required to obtain a maritime license. Some shipping companies hesitate to take female cadets due to accommodation or administrative concerns.

4. Ship Design and Accommodation

Many ships were originally designed for all-male crews. This can create logistical issues when women join the crew.

Typical challenges include:

• limited private cabins
• shared bathrooms and changing rooms
• lack of separate facilities

Modern ships increasingly address these issues, but older vessels still dominate much of the global fleet.

5. Long Periods Away From Home

Seafarers often spend 4–8 months at sea without returning home. For many women, especially those planning families, this lifestyle can be difficult to balance with personal responsibilities. Social expectations in many cultures still place more family responsibilities on women.

6. Physical Demands of Some Shipboard Tasks

Although shipping has become more automated, certain tasks still require significant physical effort.

Examples include:

• mooring operations (securing a vessel to the dock with heavy ropes)
• cargo handling
• equipment maintenance
• emergency procedures

Modern equipment helps reduce the workload, but the perception of heavy labor still discourages some women.

7. Isolation and Small Crew Environments

Life at sea involves working with a small group of people in a confined environment for months. For female seafarers who may be the only woman onboard, this can sometimes create feelings of isolation. However, as mixed crews become more common, this situation is gradually improving.

8. Workplace Culture and Bias

Even though the industry is changing, some women still report experiencing gender bias or doubts about their abilities. In some crews, women feel they must work harder to prove their professional competence compared with male colleagues.

9. Safety Concerns

Safety is a serious topic in the maritime profession.

Some women express concerns about:

• harassment
• lack of privacy onboard
• limited support systems on remote vessels

Because ships operate far from shore, access to external support may be limited.

10. Lack of Female Role Models

One of the biggest challenges is the shortage of visible female leaders in maritime professions. When young people see pilots, doctors, or engineers who look like them, it becomes easier to imagine themselves in those roles. Although the number of female captains, engineers, and officers is growing, they still represent a small minority in global shipping.

Conclusion

The maritime industry is slowly becoming more inclusive, and opportunities for women at sea are expanding every year. International organizations, shipping companies, and maritime academies are working to:

• increase female participation in maritime careers
• improve onboard living conditions
• promote gender equality at sea

Despite the challenges, thousands of women today successfully work as deck officers, marine engineers, researchers, and ship captains. For those who dream about the sea, the most important qualities remain the same: professional knowledge, discipline, resilience, and passion for maritime life.