Women in Ocean Industries Conference

Emily Ball for Rewriting Women into Maritime History, Lloyd's Register Foundation © Sama Creatives

June 2nd, 2026

Hampton Hall, Marine Institute, St. John’s NL

What can be done now to support the recruitment, retention, and training of women in ocean industries? How can greater diversity in maritime labour help address the industry's problems today? And what about building the workforce needed for a greener, safer, and more adaptable industry of tomorrow?

Today's maritime industries are facing a changing environment, shifting international needs, and rapidly evolving technologies that require new and greater numbers of skilled workers. The same strategies of recruitment, retention, and training won't meet new challenges, but in what practical ways can change be achieved? Sustained? Incorporated into innovative and adaptable practices to help face uncertain futures? 

Women represent half the world's population, but less than 2% of the maritime workforce. They represent an underutilized opportunity to expand and diversify ocean industries, but recruiting more of any underrepresented group is not as simple as merely hiring more people. This conference seeks input from women and other underrepresented voices in ocean industries on what can be done not just to expand outreach but to support and sustain them in the industry now. We invite representatives from the maritime world to discuss the challenges they see coming and face currently in fulfilling labour needs and pursuing new opportunities. And we will be hosting the conference at one of premier institutions for advanced training in the wide variety of skills needed and anticipated for the maritime world of the future - the Marine Institute, a world-leading centre for ocean-related career education and research.

Registration for the conference, BELOW

Registration for breakout rooms forthcoming.

  • Greeting people at the start of the conference at Hamilton Hall, MI

  • A meeting with women currently working or who have worked in maritime sectors talking about whatever they want to talk about related to that experience.

  • Rooms TBD

    Where are women seen now? Where are women influential now? Where are women generally (places/careers) in Ocean Industries? Where aren't women? (Where are women missing?)

  • Visit the premier education and research facilities at the Marine Institute.

  • Rooms TBD

    Women & Working Conditions; Women & co-Workers; Queer identities in Maritime Spaces; Where can women make change? (i.e. what fields might benefit from a real push to get underrepresented folks in the door)

  • Rooms TBD

    How do we generate Interest? How do we improve conditions? What do Women in Ocean Industries need? How must Ocean Industries change?

  • Building future policy for women’s recruitment and retention in maritime industries.

  • Closing reconvening, remarks, and thanks.

  • TBA

Register for the Women in Ocean Industries Conference

Marine Institute, St. John’s NL, June 2nd, 2026

Belinda Joslin for Rewriting Women into Maritime History, Lloyd's Register Foundation © Sama Creatives