MUMBAI: A.P. Moller-Maersk (Maersk), a global integrator of logistics, today announced a significant milestone under its ‘Equal At Sea’ initiative in India. With 45% of the Nautical and Engineering cadets onboarded in 2024 being women, the company has inched closer to its 2027 target of equal gender representation amongst its cadet intake.

Accelerating progress towards gender equality in the Indian maritime sector

Launched in 2022, the ‘Equal At Sea’ initiative enters its third year with remarkable success in India. The program’s primary objective is to achieve gender equality among Maersk seafarers, address the historical underrepresentation of women amongst seafarers, and create an ecosystem for the entire Indian maritime sector to improve gender diversity. The program brings different stakeholders across the industry on a common platform, which serves as a hub for exchanging ideas, understanding industry challenges, learning from each other, and implementing best practices. 

His Excellency Freddy Svane, Ambassador of Denmark to India, said, “The seas know no gender. By championing diversity in maritime careers, Maersk is not only steering toward equality but also charting a course for innovation and growth in the shipping industry. Denmark and India, as maritime nations, must lead this tide of change.” He added, “This industry-wide effort to create more opportunities for women in maritime careers will undoubtedly strengthen our global shipping community and drive progress and sustainability in the years to come.“

Karan Kochhar, Head of Marine People, Asia, Maersk, said, “Our continuous efforts and immense support from the industry has started realizing the future of creating an equitable environment at sea for women to thrive in. Through our initiatives, we have successfully inspired more women in India to choose seafaring as a career.” He added, “Getting to 45% has been a great team effort within Maersk and across the industry. Now is the time to keep the momentum up and strive to ensure that the women recruited are also retained in the fleet.“

The ‘Equal At Sea’ conference, held today in Mumbai, brought together maritime industry leaders to discuss gender diversity and inclusion. His Excellency Freddy Svane, Danish Ambassador to India, joined the event. The conference comprised three key segments: ‘Sustainable Equality: Going Beyond the ON-Boarding,’ which explored workplace culture and harassment through an interactive discussion; ‘Sea-side Chat – Not All Ceilings Are Made of Glass,’ celebrating pioneering women in male-dominated fields; and an in-depth discussion on the topic ‘All Women on Board: Myth or Reality?’ Additional highlights included a session by the Women in Maritime Association (WIMA) and the announcement of the Equal At Sea challenge winner. The event concluded with a progress report on Maersk’s diversity initiatives, underscoring the company’s commitment to fostering an inclusive maritime industry.

Key Achievements and Milestones in India

1. Indian women seafarers: With recent cadet inductions, the number of Indian women seafarers has surpassed the 350 mark, from a mere 41 in 2021, contributing significantly to improving the diversity within Maersk’s seafarers population in India.
2. Progress in the Nautical and Engineering streams: The overall percentage of women cadets in this year’s intake has gone up to 45%, and the Nautical division has already crossed 50%.
3. Women Rating Programme: Launched in 2023 as a sub-program of ‘Equal At Sea’, the initiative began with 22 women trainees in India. Building on its success, Maersk added two subsequent additional batches and now has a total of 70 women ratings undergoing training.

The success of the ‘Equal At Sea’ initiative in India has also contributed significantly to Maersk’s global progress in improving gender diversity. The number of women seafarers in the Maersk fleet has more than doubled, from 295 in 2021 to over 650 and counting in 2024. The percentage of women in Maersk’s global seafarer pool has risen from 2.3% in 2022 to 5.5% in 2024.

As Maersk celebrates its successful journey of improving gender diversity goals amongst seafarers in India, the company remains committed to fostering an inclusive environment and continuing to break barriers in the maritime industry. Maersk aims to carry this momentum forward from cadet onboarding to recruitment and create an environment that allows women to thrive in this traditionally male-dominated sector.

Maersk initiated conversations about the underrepresentation of women at sea and organized an event called “Equal at Sea: Turning the tide with women onboard” in India in 2022. The purpose of this event was to empower women in the maritime industry through mutual support and mentorship and increase the representation of women in various corporate roles within the sector. The event brought together policymakers, industry experts, and courageous women who have defied stereotypes to pursue careers at sea. Know more at www.maersk.com/equal-at-sea. 

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From the succulent Jerk Prawns draped in decadent sauces to tender, buttery Tandoori Bukni Masala Lobster, each creation is a masterpiece designed to transcend the ordinary and transport diners to a realm of gastronomic bliss.

Must-try dishes include Prawn Bisque Soup, Tandoori Naga Chilli Crab, Karavali Squid Rava Fry, Andhra Gongura Masala Lobster, Harnai Bombil, Pomfret Chapala Vepudu, Mangalapuram Ghee Roast Prawns, Ambot Tik, Crab Varutha Style, Seafood Kizhi Biryani among others! Ending this gastronomical journey on a sweet note, we also have Semiya Payasam served on a Tender Coconut shell that will leave your heart in pure bliss.

To elevate the indulgence, Mahesh Lunch Home unveils a tapestry of exclusive offers and promotions throughout the festival, including a complimentary glass of House wine or Beer with each ‘As Per Catch’ order.

“The Mahesh Lunch Home Seafood Festival is our annual ode to the vast and bountiful coast of India, where patrons are invited to the finest offerings of the sea in a setting of unmatched opulence. It is a fest where one can enjoy fresh & local seafood paired with their favorite choice of aromatic wine,”  notes Narayan Poojari, Managing Director, Shiv Sagar Foods & Resorts Pvt Ltd

Visitors will be greeted by our staff dressed in traditional South Indian attire highlighting the unique blend of culture and heritage, while the harmonious coastal music elevates the scrumptious dining experience. The restaurant is transforming into an undersea wonderland, where every corner is adorned with lavish seafood-inspired decor, promising an immersive and visually stunning dining experience. From colossal Crab sculptures at the entrance, enchanting fish nets cascading from the ceilings & walls, ship wheels, and anchors to maritime-inspired artwork, every detail has been considered to transport diners into a world where the ocean’s bounty takes center stage.

Starting 1st February onwards at its Sakinaka (Mumbai) and Camp (Pune) outlets and from 8th February onwards at its Thane outlet, this month-long culinary celebration is sure to leave you wanting for more!

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Some of the skippers on the ARKEA ULTIM CHALLENGE-Brest have already seen their first albatross, indeed the extraordinary shots of race leader Charles Caudrelier on Maxi Edmond de Rothschild near the Kerguelens, taken yesterday by a French fishing vessel, show he is in good company in more ways than one. But today, as he descends into the Indian Ocean some 1400 miles to the west of Caudrelier, second-placed Thomas Coville was given to reflect on his love of the albatross and their comforting presence. 

Today’s image of Maxi Edmond de Rothschild in the Indian Ocean is exceptional. It was taken by Niels Gins, a scientist and controller of the TAAF (Ed note Terres Australes et Antarctiques Françaises) who is a controller aboard a fishing boat from the French seafood company Sapmer. Gins looks after the regulatory measures and collects essential data for the scientific monitoring of deep ocean fishing down in these low latitudes. He is also responsible for capturing images of marine wildlife, observing vessels, including possible illegal fishing vessels “pirate fishing” and he occasionally captures the odd passing, ULTIM doing more than 30kts.

Coville is back in his element
“He’s up there. He revolves around me, and he is what I’ve been looking for. I see it as a first reunion. And probably it is less poetic for him.” Coville is in a contemplative and intimate mood as took the time to record an audio message, to detail his first encounter with an albatross on this new passage into the big south on this, his ninth circuit of the globe. The Cape of Good Hope is well behind him now and his Sodebo Ultim 3 is already carving its way into the Indian Ocean, still pretty much pacing the leader Caudrelier – indeed in the 24hrs to 1700hrs this evening Coville sailed 16 miles further.

Coville: “When you pass the Cape of Good Hope, you enter the world of albatrosses. This is their world, not ours. It’s rather like entering a ring-fenced area. It’s a very special moment. I would like to offer this moment to everyone involved in the project and in particular, the team members that have been supporting me. Just like the albatrosses, they are there without being seen. Somewhere in the background circling me, watching what’s going on, looking for an idea, a kind word, someone to show them some attention. In our work, there is a lot to overcome, but also a lot of being with others and feeling that human warmth. The albatross flies in that spirit. It may sound a bit odd, but that is what is going on for me and it is very emotional.”

In the fourth and fifth Armel Le Cléac’h (Banque Populaire XI) and Anthony Marchand (Actual Ultim) are getting closer to the south after a long, circuitous detour around the west of the Saint Helena High. Marchand skipper on Actual Ultim 3 told us earlier today, “We are in a small strip of wind with the ice exclusion zone not that far away and with Armel just ahead. We are finally heading East with the Cape of Good Hope coming up ahead soon, and it will be nice to get that left behind us. It’s starting to get colder and colder. The nights are very short, which is great.”

In the sixth Eric Péron told us about his situation on Sunday evening. “It’s been a busy week with lots of things to do aboard the boat. Lots of odds and ends, and plenty of work to do, and that all takes time. My route crossing the South Atlantic means that we can be faster on our trajectory towards the Cape of Good Hope, but there isn’t much wind. The boat is doing well and I have managed to get some rest. It’s good that there are times when we can ease off. This is a long race and we need to keep at it.”

Arriving off Cape Town very early this morning, Tom Laperche was met by a wall of winds gusting to 50 to 60 knots along the coast. It was impossible to consider any kind of access to the port. So SVR-Lazartigue had to stay on standby, hove too into the wind, waiting for better conditions. The wind eventually died down, and four members of the team boarded the giant ULTIM later in the morning. Securing the boat and analyzing the damage are their two missions at the moment. Laperche was sent ashore so that he could rest and recover with some good sleep. With the wind still blowing heavily, the technical team has not yet been able to dock the giant multi in the port of Cape Town.

Text Credits: ARKEA Ultim Challenge
Video Credits: NEFSEA Productions/PolaRYSE

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