Celebrating International Day for Women in Maritime 2025
We Don’t Just Work in Maritime. We Lead It.
On Sunday 18th May, it’s the annual International Day for Women in Maritime and we’re celebrating the women at ABL Group who are doing more than breaking barriers—they’re setting the standard.
The maritime industry remains one of the most male-dominated sectors in the world. According to the 2021 Women in Maritime Survey, women make up just 2% of the global seafaring workforce. But at ABL, the picture looks different. From country managers who are former naval officers and seasoned mariners, to senior surveyors, pipeline engineers, wellsite geologists and mechanical specialists, women at ABL aren’t the exception. They are leaders in their fields.
Take Lene Thorstensen, for example. She now manages a highly experienced team of operations and wellsite geologists, helping deliver safe and sustainable energy operations. Lene’s journey began in a very different place, signing up for a one-year stint in the Navy that turned into seven. That experience ultimately led her to study geology and build a career she’s passionate about today.
Our recent new joiner Raven Liu is another example. Raven specialises in maritime data analysis, port operations, and strategic research, with experience supporting port decarbonisation and driving efficiency improvements. Before joining ABL, she worked as a Research and Teaching Assistant at Newcastle University, focusing on maritime science and technology, including port congestion analysis and risk assessment.
“When I first entered the maritime industry, it was clear that it was a male-dominated world,” says Raven. “But over the years, I’ve seen more and more women take on roles across the sector—from captains and surveyors to managers and analysts. I’m proud to be part of that change, and I look forward to continuing to build bridges for the next generation of women in maritime.”
Their stories are not isolated. One of our colleagues, Jani Viljoen in Bahrain was recently named among the Top 100 Women in Shipping. Others are mentoring rising talent and paving the way for more inclusive, forward-thinking operations around the globe.
Today, women are leading ABL regional offices in South Africa, New Zealand, Canada, and Greece – a testament to how far we’ve come and how much further we’re going.
Our women bring expertise, strength, and leadership to an industry that has often overlooked them. And together, we’re proving that it’s talent, not tradition that defines our success at sea.