Insights from Chloe Fisher, Anastasia Shikoveca, Jeremy Liew, and Josephine Le at the 2025 Spinnaker Maritime People & Culture Conference

At this year’s Spinnaker Conference, a panel session focused on the perspectives and experiences of Gen Z professionals in the maritime industry. With Gen Z now making up 30% of the global workforce, the discussion highlighted their motivations, challenges, and hopes for the future of maritime.

Chloe’s Journey: From Sea Cadets to Sustainability
Chloe, who had been working in the industry for three years since graduating with a degree in naval architecture from Newcastle University, shared that her maritime career began early through her involvement with the Sea Cadets in the landlocked Peak District! A conversation at her Sea Cadet centre sparked her decision to pursue her degree, also driven by a passion for the environment and the role shipping plays in climate change. She told us how her internship which formed part of her degree, helped bridge the gap between university lectures and the real-world, particularly in terms of achieving a work-life balance and developing confidence early on.

Chloe emphasised the importance of choosing companies that align with personal values—those that empower early career professionals and offer flexibility, progression, and outreach opportunities. She believed that the culture and people around you are what keep you in a role, and that being agile and resilient to change was essential in a fast-evolving industry.

Anastasia’s Realisations at Sea
Anastasia shared a candid and powerful account of her early experiences. On her first ship rotation, she found herself questioning whether she belonged in the industry. She felt unmotivated, unsupported, and discouraged—frequently told she was too young, a woman, or “stupid,” and even advised to “find a husband.” However, the absence of ship life made her realise she missed it. Her second rotation reignited her passion, and her confidence began to grow.

Despite ongoing challenges, Anastasia remained determined. She admitted that at times it felt easier to stay silent, especially when older colleagues dismissed her views. But she continued to speak up and advocate for freedom and rights at work. She spoke about the emotional difficulty of opening up to someone onboard, only to be treated like a stranger afterwards. For her, authenticity and belonging were vital.

Jeremy’s Global Perspective
Jeremy, originally from Malaysia, noted that maritime had rarely been discussed as a career option when he was growing up. His journey began at 17 and evolved into a deep appreciation for engineering, environmental concerns, and the global connectivity of shipping. He also studied at Newcastle University (although never crossed paths with Chloe!) and he gained hands-on experience in a small shipyard during his studies and later joined ABS after completing his master’s degree.

He highlighted the value of mentorship, especially programmes that provided personal as well as professional guidance. Shadowing senior leaders had helped him understand the company’s direction and integrate quickly. Importantly, he praised the transparency and adaptability of these schemes, viewing them as key to workplace innovation and learning.

Technology, Trust and the Future of Work
The discussion also touched on the role of AI and the evolving landscape of maritime work. Anastasia felt that while AI would be helpful, human input would always be essential—especially for maintenance and critical decision-making. Chloe echoed this sentiment, stating that the industry must continue evolving and adapting its processes.

Jeremy raised a broader point: younger generations are increasingly drawn to sectors like content creation, finance, and tech—not just because they’re trendy, but because they’re engaging. To attract Gen Z and future generations, he argued, the maritime industry must build trust—not just through hierarchy, but through mutual respect and authentic communication. This cultural shift must begin early, with Generation Alpha and beyond, reshaping maritime as a forward-looking, innovative, and exciting career path.

Josephine’s Closing Reflections
Josephine closed the session by reminding the audience that Gen Z is the first generation to grow up entirely with technology. While this makes them unique, it also poses new challenges for engagement and retention. She stressed the need to empower this generation so they can become the leaders and changemakers of the future.

What Gen Z Looks for in an Employer
When asked what they look for in a company, the panelists shared diverse but connected themes:

• Chloe prioritised values, mission alignment, and accountability. She looked for companies that followed through on their promises, offered career progression, supported side passions, and actively worked to break down industry stereotypes.
• Anastasia sought adventure and diversity. She loved not knowing where she’d be from one week to the next, and thrived on the opportunity to work with people from different countries and cultures.
• Jeremy emphasised trust, mutual respect, and personal connection. For him, a company’s ability to engage with his family and support a sense of community was key.
• Josephine valued autonomy, a good paycheck, and long holidays—honest, practical priorities that many could relate to.

Find out more about the Maritime People & Culture Conference here Maritime HR Conference | Event | Spinnaker