International Day for Women in Maritime is not just a symbolic celebration. It is a call to transform how we view, integrate, and empower women across every corner of the maritime world—including the rugged, often overlooked ship recycling industry.
At Alang, Gujarat, which recycles around 30% of the world’s ships, the picture is slowly but surely changing. Traditionally dominated by men, the ship recycling sector has started recognizing that women bring critical value across several verticals—be it in compliance, quality assurance, environment and safety audits, logistics coordination, or digital recordkeeping.
The 2025 theme, “An Ocean of Opportunities for Women”, invites us to rethink our structures. Why shouldn’t trained women safety officers manage compliance? Why not open doors to women as environmental officers, technical document controllers, or even sustainability officers? If the global maritime industry is transitioning to a greener and more responsible future, inclusive participation is no longer optional—it’s essential.
At Guideship, we are working with forward-thinking yards to initiate change by creating awareness, advocating for gender-inclusive hiring policies, and designing training programs that equip women with the tools to thrive. With strong policy support and grassroots engagement, India’s ship recycling industry can be a global model for responsible, inclusive development.
On this important day, let’s reaffirm our commitment to creating visible and valued roles for women—because the sea of opportunity belongs to all.
Marex Media