Columbia Group calls for greater focus on retaining women at sea as second She Beyond Conference takes place

The Columbia Group has urged the maritime industry to focus on retaining women in their careers at sea, as it hosted the second She Beyond Conference in Manila. This conference, part of Crew Connect Global, gathered female seafarers to discuss experiences, networking, and industry opportunities for women throughout their maritime careers. The event follows an inaugural conference, highlighting Columbia Group's dedication to supporting its employees from entry-level positions to senior leadership roles.

The industry faces a significant gender imbalance, with only 1% of seafarers employed by surveyed organizations being women, according to the latest IMO–WISTA Women in Maritime Survey. Claudia Paschkewitz, Director of Sustainability, Inclusion and Diversity at Columbia Group, emphasized that attracting women into the industry is merely the first step.

True progress lies in providing women equal opportunities to stay, advance, and build long-term careers. She stressed the need to focus on retention and career progression alongside recruitment.

Columbia Group's Female Cadet Mentorship Programme connects female newcomers with experienced mentors, offering guidance and support as they adapt to life at sea. The She Beyond initiative aims to create a supportive community of women seafarers who can share experiences and learn from one another. This program aligns with the company's broader investments in seafarer welfare and professional development, including career progression programs, training opportunities, and regular conferences for maritime professionals.

Simona Toma, Chief of Maritime HR at Columbia Group, explained that She Beyond is crucial for understanding the needs of female seafarers and determining how to better support them. Retaining women in maritime careers requires ongoing support, encouragement, and career development opportunities, ensuring they progress from cadets to experienced officers and eventually to maritime leadership positions.