The International Maritime Employers’ Council (IMEC) has launched a $500,000 funding initiative aimed at addressing one of the maritime sector’s most persistent challenges when it comes to female seafarers: keeping women in the industry and helping them progress beyond their cadet years.
The new She Sails Funding Initiative will divide the available funding equally. A total of $250,000 will be dedicated to initiatives in the Philippines, while another $250,000 will support female seafarers globally. The programme is not restricted to women who have gone through IMEC’s own training programmes.
The move comes as recruitment figures for female cadets continue to rise, while progression into officer positions and long-term retention remain significant challenges. IMEC says the initiative is intended to move the industry beyond simply increasing recruitment numbers and towards providing meaningful support throughout women’s careers at sea.
A central objective of the scheme is to help more women make the transition from cadetship to officer roles and remain in the maritime industry over the longer term. The funding will recognise member companies that demonstrate concrete efforts in areas such as training, career progression and retention.
The initiative will also seek to generate data on how female officers progress through the ranks, providing a clearer picture of where barriers remain and where further action is needed.
More broadly, the funding programme forms part of IMEC’s wider diversity and inclusion agenda. The organisation is seeking measurable progress rather than initiatives based solely on commitments or intentions.
Member companies that can demonstrate a genuine commitment to advancing gender diversity at sea will be eligible for recognition under the scheme, reinforcing the focus on practical action and long-term career development for women seafarers.
