Nicosia, Cyprus. Mental Health Support Solutions (MHSS) warned that if the shipping industry does not remove barriers for women at sea, it risks losing the next generation of talent and leaders. The company said women seafarers face hidden pressures that can affect wellbeing, confidence, and career progression.
Pressures and barriers for women at sea
MHSS said women at sea often feel they must work twice as hard to prove their competence while balancing family and work life and confronting barriers and stereotypes. The company added that some women feel responsible for representing all women onboard, leading them to manage how they are perceived to avoid being undermined or overlooked, while also dealing with heavy workloads and workplace bias.
MHSS Female Ambassador Programme
MHSS, a member of the OneCare Group, said it is continuing to support women throughout their maritime careers through its Female Ambassador Programme. Since its launch in 2024, MHSS said the programme has trained over 50 mentors, equipped more than 80 office colleagues, and actively checks in with over 100 female seafarers globally.
“Supporting women at sea must be an ongoing effort,” said Mariana Charalambous, Managing Director at MHSS. “We will continue to develop the Programme so that more women have access to mentorship,” she added.
Longer-term impact and helpline observations
MHSS said the programme’s longer-term impact is becoming visible. “What’s been especially meaningful is seeing the long-term continuity. Some of those cadets are now officers and engineers, and many remain in frequent contact with their mentors,” said Guven Kale, Chief Clinical Officer at MHSS.
Through the organisation’s helpline, Stella Kiss, Head of Clinical Operations at MHSS, said the emotional load carried by female seafarers is often heavier than it appears.
What steps do you think shipping companies should take to reduce barriers for women at sea?
