IMO celebrates International Day for Women in Maritime 2025

LONDON : International Day for Women in Maritime 2025 observed globally on 18 May each year.The day celebrates women in the industry and is intended to promote the recruitment, retention and sustained employment of women in the maritime sector, raise the profile of women in maritime, strengthen IMO’s commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5 (gender equality) and support work to address the current gender imbalance in maritime. 

IMO organised a Symposium under the theme An Ocean of Opportunities for Women to celebrate the 2025 International Day for Women in Maritime at IMO Headquarters, London. IMO Member States, the maritime industry, and all others in the maritime endeavour are invited to promote and celebrate the International Day for Women in Maritime.

As part of the event, IMO hosted the presentation of:

Gender Equality Award Ceremony – Ms. Karin Orsel, nominated by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, will receive the IMO Gender Equality Award 2025, per the decision of the Council at its 133rd session. Find more information about previous Awards and winner here.

IMO-WISTA Women in Maritime Survey 2024 – IMO and WISTA International conducted the second global Women in Maritime Survey 2024. The Survey aimed at gathering important baseline data about women’s participation in the maritime and ocean fields. Please find all the IMO-WISTA Women in Maritime Survey 2024 details and the survey report here.

And the Gender Equality Award this year, credited to Karin Orsel, a dedicated champion of diversity and inclusion in the shipping industry.