Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) was pleased to mark the International Day for Women in Maritime 2026 through a series of activities designed to celebrate women in the maritime sector, connect students with industry and promote diversity, inclusion and opportunity across maritime education and practice.
On 28 April 2026, Anna Kaparaki, Senior Lecturer in Maritime Law at LJMU, led a student visit on board the vessel Bolette to attend the “Women in Maritime” event organised by Liverpool Cruise Port in partnership with Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. Anna attended together with five female postgraduate maritime students: Ms Jonecar Ermino, Ms Gizem Kandemir, Ms Hatou Tangikora, Ms Gloria Jeruto and Ms Al Anood Saud Habib Al-Zadjali.
The event brought together partners and professionals from across the maritime sector to celebrate the role of women in maritime and inspire future generations to pursue careers in the industry. The programme included an expert panel discussion hosted by Angie Redhead, Head of Operations – Culture Liverpool, Liverpool City Council. Panellists included Simone Roche MBE, Honorary Captain in the Royal Navy; Abbie Sanders, Master Mariner at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines; Charlotte Fenton MICS, Customer Services Manager, Mersey Port Division, Peel Ports; Louise Robinson, Captain at Mersey Ferries; and Kate Orrell, Agency Manager at Denholm Wilhelmsen Ltd.
The discussion provided valuable insights into maritime career pathways, leadership, representation and the continuing need to encourage more women to enter and progress within the sector. With women representing only approximately 1.2% of the global seafarer workforce, the event offered an important platform to raise awareness of maritime careers and celebrate the achievements of women across the industry.
On 13 May 2026, LJMU staff and students participated in Mersey Maritime’s International Day for Women in Maritime Members Afternoon Tea, which took place at The Halyard Hotel Liverpool and was sponsored by Atlantic Container Line (ACL). Anna Kaparaki and Dr Robyn Pyne, Principal Lecturer in Logistics and Maritime Programmes, attended together with two female postgraduate maritime students, Ms Jonecar Ermino and Ms Gizem Kandemir.
The event brought together professionals from across the regional maritime cluster to celebrate women in maritime, share experiences and encourage open conversations about gender balance, representation and opportunity across the sector. Attendees heard from Leanne Gunn, Head of HR at Grimaldi Agencies UK / Atlantic Container Line, who reflected on Liverpool’s proud maritime heritage and the important role women have played, and continue to play, across the industry. Her remarks highlighted the progress being made towards inclusive workplaces, including the positive example that 55% of the workforce at Grimaldi Liverpool Agency are women, while also recognising that further progress is still needed within traditionally male-dominated sectors.
The event also featured an inspiring contribution from Louise Robinson, the first female Ship Superintendent at Mersey Ferries. Louise shared her professional journey and spoke openly about women’s health, workplace pressures and the importance of creating supportive working environments where open and honest conversations can take place.
On 18 May 2026, Anna Kaparaki had the pleasure of leading a maritime field trip to London with a cohort of LJMU Maritime Master’s students and undergraduate law students, together with colleagues Dr Christos Kontovas and Dr Yin Yinan, and LJMU PhD researcher Mr Andrew Bourton. The visit included attendance at the International Maritime Organization Headquarters in London for the International Day for Women in Maritime event, From Policy to Practice: Advancing Gender Equality for Maritime Excellence.
The IMO event aligned with the World Maritime Day theme, From Policy to Practice: Powering Maritime Excellence, and highlighted the importance of translating policy commitments into practical action to advance gender equality and maritime excellence. A particular highlight was the presentation of the IMO Gender Equality Award to Professor Momoko Kitada of the World Maritime University (WMU). LJMU extends warm congratulations to Professor Kitada on this well-deserved recognition. Her inspiring speech, kindness and engagement with LJMU students made a lasting impression on the cohort.
Collectively, these activities provided LJMU students with valuable opportunities to engage directly with maritime professionals, international organisations and women role models from across the sector. They also reinforced LJMU’s commitment to connecting maritime education with industry practice and to supporting the next generation of women in maritime.
