German container shipping company Hapag-Lloyd has launched a new programme aimed at increasing the number of women working at sea across its global fleet.
The initiative, called Shefarer, includes measures designed to recruit, support and retain more women in maritime careers in partnership with crewing companies Jebsen PTC, Anglo-Eastern Ship Management and Marlow Navigation.
As part of the programme, at least 20% of new trainee intakes will be female cadets, including within the company’s international crewing pipeline focused on Filipino seafarers.
Hapag-Lloyd also plans to introduce dedicated “Shefarer vessels”, where multiple women seafarers will serve together across different onboard roles and ranks.
The company said the approach is intended to make women onboard a normal part of crew composition rather than an exception.
The initiative also includes investment in separate changing rooms, showers and toilets for women on all upcoming newbuild vessels entering service in the coming years.
“With the Shefarer Program, we are creating concrete structures to help more women enter the maritime industry and build long-term careers at sea,” said Silke Lehmköster, Managing Director Fleet at Hapag-Lloyd.
According to the company, women currently make up 5.71% of Hapag-Lloyd’s seafarers, while four women currently serve as captains across its fleet.
