On 18 May, the International Day for Women in Maritime shines a spotlight on gender equality across the industry. In 2026, the focus is increasingly relevant for offshore maritime, from offshore wind to oil & gas, where the gender gap remains one of the biggest challenges.
The offshore gender gap
While women make up just under 19% of the maritime workforce overall, representation drops sharply in offshore and technical roles.
- Only about 1% of seafarers are women
- Offshore oil & gas: around 3–4% female workforce
- Offshore wind roles: roughly 5% women offshore
This makes offshore one of the least diverse segments of the maritime sector.
Why diversity is critical offshore
Improving gender balance isn’t just about fairness, it’s essential for future growth:
- Solving talent shortages: Offshore energy is expanding rapidly and needs a larger, more diverse workforce
- Driving innovation: Diverse teams bring better ideas and problem-solving in complex offshore environments
- Supporting the energy transition: Offshore wind and renewables require new skills and perspectives
From policy to practice
The 2026 theme “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Gender Equality for Maritime Excellence” calls for real action.
For offshore, this means:
- Safer, more inclusive offshore facilities
- More women in technical and leadership roles
- Stronger recruitment and career pathways
Looking ahead
With offshore wind and energy sectors growing fast, there is a unique opportunity to build a more inclusive workforce from the start.