As it celebrated the second She Beyond Conference in Manila, Columbia Group called on the maritime industry to create a future where women can thrive, progress and lead at sea.
Claudia Paschkewitz, director of sustainability, inclusion and diversity at Columbia Group, said: “We have spent years talking about attracting more women into maritime, but recruitment is only the beginning.”
“The real measure of progress is whether women have equal opportunities to stay, progress and build sustainable careers,” added Paschkewitz. “We need to look beyond how many women join the industry and examine whether they are being supported, promoted and given the opportunity to reach senior positions.”
“If we are serious about gender equality, retention and career progression must receive the same attention as recruitment.”
Columbia Group said in a press release that the conference was held as part of Crew Connect Global, bringing together female seafarers to share experiences, build connections and explore how the industry can create more opportunities for women throughout their maritime careers.
The press release said Columbia Group’s Female Cadet Mentorship Program pairs women entering the profession with experienced mentors who provide practical advice, encouragement and support as they adjust to life at sea.
Through She Beyond, Columbia aims to build a community of women seafarers who support one another, share experiences and learn from each other throughout their careers.
Simona Toma, chief of maritime HR at Columbia Group, said: “She Beyond provides an important opportunity to listen to the experiences of our female seafarers and understand what more we can do to support them.”
According to the group, the latest IMO–WISTA Women in Maritime Survey, published in May 2025, finds that women make up 1 percent of seafarers employed by the organizations surveyed.
This highlights the continued need for greater recruitment, retention and career development opportunities.
“Our responsibility does not end when a female cadet joins her first vessel. We must ensure she has the support, encouragement and opportunities to develop into an experienced officer and, ultimately, a maritime leader,” added Toma.
Practical initiatives such as Columbia’s iCare Packs for Women Seafarers, which provide medical readiness and personal care essentials, further demonstrate the importance of addressing women’s everyday needs onboard, the group added.
