IMO report highlights low female representation in Morocco’s maritime sector

Women represent just 14% of Morocco’s maritime workforce, according to a new report from the International Maritime Organization (IMO), shedding light on persistent gender disparities in port operations, customs, and maritime emergency services.

The findings, published in the 2025 “Women in Maritime” survey by the IMO in collaboration with the Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA), revealed that Moroccan women hold only 14% of jobs in port and customs services. In roles related to search and rescue operations, female participation drops sharply to a mere 2%.

The report also noted the absence of Moroccan women in the country’s representation at the IMO.

The survey covered 88 IMO member states and over 608 private-sector organizations and companies operating in the maritime industry. Among Moroccan women working in the sector, only 25% occupy mid-management roles, while just 6% are involved in operational or technical positions.

Support and administrative roles show higher female representation, with women accounting for 31% of Moroccan staff in such positions.

Despite some growth in absolute numbers, the gender gap remains significant. Only 93 of the 1,478 graduates from Morocco’s maritime academies are women — a rate of just 6%.

The report describes a “complex picture” of gender inclusion in the global maritime sector. While the number of women working in the industry rose globally from 151,979 in 2021 to 176,820 in 2024, their share of the overall maritime workforce declined from 26% to 19% over the same period.

Regionally, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Pacific reported the highest levels of female participation, with women making up more than 20% of the maritime workforce in these areas.

European women dominate private-sector employment in the maritime field, with 15,457 women out of a total 71,470 workers, according to the survey.

In the Arab region, women make up 12.97% of the maritime labor force, with 5,918 women employed out of a total 45,631 workers. In Africa, the figures are slightly higher, with women representing 14.49% of the sector — 6,853 women out of 47,303 total workers.

The report also warned that the participation of young women in maritime activities remains underdeveloped. Most women working in the sector are between 24 and 44 years old, while participation among those aged 18 to 24 is virtually nonexistent, except in Argentina.

The IMO concluded that more targeted efforts are needed to promote gender diversity in the maritime sector, particularly in recruitment, career advancement, and leadership development.