CMA CGM, a prominent maritime company based in Marseille, is making notable strides in promoting gender diversity within its workforce, particularly among seafarers. Its “She Sails” program has successfully doubled the number of women at sea, with the figure increasing from 200 in early 2024 to 403 by the end of 2025—an impressive growth of over 100% since the program’s launch in December 2024.
In its commitment to fostering gender diversity, CMA CGM has set an ambitious goal of reaching 1,000 women seafarers by 2030. The “She Sails” initiative aims to encourage women to explore various maritime career paths, support young women considering maritime professions, and create a community where experiences among women seafarers can be shared to inspire future generations.
Christine Cabau Woehrel, CMA CGM’s Executive Vice President of Operations and Assets, expressed pride in the program’s success within its inaugural year, indicating that the results surpassed expectations. She noted that more women are advancing into key positions at an accelerated pace and gaining confidence, which has positively impacted team diversity and overall performance. This success brings both pride and a sense of responsibility, driving the organization’s commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for women in the maritime industry.
The program has also shown tangible outcomes through promotions, with 74 women advancing in their careers within the company this year. Highlights include eight women being promoted to senior officer roles, representing the highest levels of responsibility on board. Additionally, 48 women advanced from cadet to junior officer positions, and a first was achieved when a woman progressed from deckhand to qualified deckhand.
CMA CGM has bolstered the “She Sails” initiative through an expanding international network, having mobilized 42 ambassadors across 19 countries. Collaboration with maritime academies has also increased, leading to three formal agreements signed in Abu Dhabi and India, along with ongoing preparations for partnerships in the Philippines and Indonesia aimed at recruiting more women cadets.
The first anniversary of the “She Sails” program marks not just a significant milestone but also the beginning of CMA CGM’s broader commitment to transforming the global merchant navy. The company remains dedicated to supporting women at sea, ensuring equitable access and advancement opportunities while striving to enhance gender diversity in the maritime sector. Through initiatives like “She Sails,” CMA CGM is actively working towards creating a more inclusive and equitable environment within the industry.
Source link
