Only 1% Women At Sea, Yet 25% Face Sexual Assault: Marine Insurers Urged To Act

Marine insurers have been urged to take action against sexual misconduct at sea, delegates at the International Union of Marine Insurance (IUMI) annual conference in Singapore said.

The call was made during the Legal & Liability Workshop, led by Charles Fernandez, Chair of the IUMI Legal & Liability Committee, who emphasised the industry’s responsibility to address this serious issue.

According to the workshop, women make up only 1% of the global seafaring workforce. Despite their small numbers, around 25% of women in maritime report experiencing physical or sexual assault while at sea. Fernandez explained that almost all women working at sea face some form of sexual misconduct, ranging from unconscious bias to full-scale assault.

While marine insurers do not operate vessels themselves, Fernandez said that they are an important part of the maritime supply chain. He said insurers should use their influence to raise awareness about sexual misconduct at sea and help eliminate it entirely.

The workshop also noted that many cases go unreported. Victims often fear harm to their reputation, career setbacks, or believe their complaints will not be taken seriously. Legal issues make matters more complicated, as jurisdiction can depend on the ship’s flag or where the incident happened, making it hard and intimidating for victims to seek justice.

Shipowners can be held directly responsible for sexual misconduct on board, especially if they knew about a perpetrator’s past behavior. They have a legal duty to provide a safe working environment for all crew members. Recent high-profile cases show that victims can receive compensation, and liability insurers have had to pay significant claims.

Fernandez pointed out that preventing sexual misconduct is not only the right thing to do but also a key risk management strategy. Large payouts in recent cases demonstrate the financial risk for insurers when proper safeguards are not in place. He added that marine underwriters need to be aware of these issues and ensure that their clients are implementing effective measures to prevent all forms of sexual misconduct.

The workshop concluded with a strong message to the marine insurance community: it must take an active role in raising awareness, supporting victims, and ensuring that shipowners enforce strict policies to eradicate sexual misconduct at sea.

Reference: IUMI

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