Centrum Marine Consultancy (Private), a leader in the field of maritime human resources and a strong advocate for gender diversity, recently launched the ‘She Can Sail the Seas’ initiative, a transformative program aimed at creating new opportunities for women in Sri Lanka’s maritime industry. This innovative effort seeks to break down longstanding gender barriers in a traditionally male-dominated sector.

The launch event was attended by prominent personalities including Dr. Felix Neumann, Ambassador of the German Embassy in Colombo, Colonel Amanda Johnston, Defense Adviser of the Australian High Commission and Lt. Commander Jessica De Mont, Naval Sponsor of the United States Embassy in Colombo. The ‘She Can Sail the Seas’ initiative is co-sponsored by Peter Dohl Schiffarts-KG from Hamburg, a global leader in the maritime sector, and the CINEC Maritime Campus technical partner.

Backed by an investment of US$110,000, the inaugural program will sponsor 15 female cadets, including seven deck cadets and eight engineer cadets. These young women are set to embark on careers at sea and will make history as Sri Lanka’s first batch of female naval cadets to sail together in January 2025. Engineer cadets will also follow suit, starting their training in April 2025.

The program has received extensive support from respected organizations including the US Embassy Colombo, Australian High Commission, German Embassy, ​​Sri Lanka Shipping Agents Association and WISTA Sri Lanka. Their collective endorsement highlights the importance of fostering gender equality and empowering women in the maritime industry.

Kalinga de Silva, Managing Director of Centrum Marine Consultancy said, “This is a defining moment for Sri Lanka’s maritime industry. We are proud to lead the way in empowering women to pursue careers at sea. Our mission is to pave the way for the next generation of female sailors and make a lasting impact by showing that the seas are open to all who dare to set sail.”

Centrum Marine Consultancy’s vision extends beyond this founding team. With plans to sponsor up to 150 female cadets in the coming years, the company aims to challenge social norms and inspire families to support their daughters in pursuing maritime careers.

The importance of this initiative goes beyond numbers and represents a critical step towards inclusion and diversity within the maritime sector. It serves as a beacon of hope, encouraging young women to consider careers at sea while reframing societal perceptions of women’s roles in this field.