Women empowerment in maritime industry: CMA CGM’s She Sails Program Makes Waves in Diversity

In an industry long dominated by male crews, French shipping giant CMA CGM is steering container shipping toward a more inclusive future with its “She Sails” initiative.

Launched in December 2024, the She Sails program was created to address gender imbalance in seafaring roles by encouraging wider participation of women across all ranks and functions on board CMA CGM ships.

Below are the changes in the numbers -

• The number of women seafarers increased from approximately 200 in 2024 to 403 by the end of 2025, an increase of over 100%.

• The company now aims to have 1,000 women serving at sea by 2030, a bold target reflecting long-term commitment to diversity.

This growth marks one of the most significant steps toward gender equality in maritime careers globally.

How She Sails Works — Beyond the Numbers

The She Sails program is built on three strategic pillars:

1. Attraction

The initiative actively recruits female candidates to enter maritime careers through:

• Internship opportunities

• Mentorship programs

• Outreach to maritime academies

These efforts help spark early interest among young women considering life at sea.

2. Promotion

Once aboard, women are supported to progress into leadership and technical positions. Over the past year, 74 promotions were recorded, including:

• 8 promotions to senior officer roles

• 48 cadet-to-junior officer advancements

• A milestone promotion from deckhand to qualified deckhand — a first in the company’s history.

3. Retention

To retain talent, CMA CGM emphasizes:

• Equal opportunities for growth

• Protection against harassment

• Continuous professional development

A growing network of 42 ambassadors across 19 countries strengthens retention by providing peer support and local outreach.

Why This Matters to Global Shipping

Despite growing initiatives, women still make up a relatively small proportion of seafarers globally. Industry data suggest that even with recent gains, female representation in many fleets remains below double digits. Efforts like She Sails play a key role in redefining industry norms and stimulating broader change.

In addition:

• A more diverse workforce contributes to improved operational performance and decision-making.

• Greater female participation supports wider societal goals like UN Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality).

• Initiatives in shipping often encourage other maritime stakeholders — including governments, ports, and training institutions — to invest in inclusive policies.

Partnerships with maritime academies in India, Abu Dhabi, the Philippines, and Indonesia CMA CGM aim to strengthen the pipeline of women.

Image credit - AI