From the bridge to the classroom, Ms Yu has helped build a more inclusive maritime sector in China, serving as a role model for the global maritime community.
Ms Yu Jiajia, Teaching Chief Mate and instructor at Navigation College, Dalian Maritime University, has been selected to receive the 2027 IMO Gender Equality Award, following her nomination by China.
The award is bestowed on individuals who have made significant contributions to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women in the maritime sector.
The IMO Council endorsed Ms Yu Jiajia as the recipient during its 138th session held in London (2-6 November 2026), to receive the award in May 2027, alongside celebrations for the International Day for Women in Maritime (18 May).
Pioneering a career in maritime
Over the past 16 years, Ms Yu has combined her experience as a seafarer with teaching, research and advocacy to advance opportunities for women in the maritime sector.
She is the first woman under the jurisdiction of China’s Liaoning Maritime Safety Administration to obtain a Certificate of Competency for serving on ships engaged on Unlimited Navigation Areas, qualifying her to work on ships operating worldwide.
With more than 50 months of seagoing service, she progressed from cadet to Third Mate, Second Mate and now Teaching Chief Mate, demonstrating her dedication to pursuing a long-term maritime career.
Ms Yu holds a Magnetic Compass Adjuster Certificate and has conducted magnetic compass adjustments and corrections on more than 50 occasions, earning recognition for her technical expertise and professionalism in this highly specialized field.
Role model and mentor for future women maritime professionals
Ms Yu is committed to building the next generation of women in maritime, helping female cadets build confidence, resilience and professional skills.
At Dalian Maritime University, she has conducted more than 100 one-to-one career mentoring sessions for female students and encouraged female cadets to take active roles in bridge operations, life-saving and firefighting exercises.
She has created a more inclusive learning environment, training more than a thousand women (out of a total 3000 students supervised) as a seagoing training instructor onboard the dedicated ocean-going training vessel MV Yu Kun.
Ms Yu has also contributed to more than 10 teaching reform initiatives at Dalian Maritime University, co-authored more than 10 professional textbooks and participated in over 30 maritime education research projects. By integrating research outcomes into teaching, she helps students keep pace with developments in navigation technology and prepares them for the future of the maritime sector.
Letter of Commendation
In addition to the IMO Gender Equality Award, the Council awarded a Letter of Commendation to Ms. Gemma Griffin, Vice President and Head of Global Crewing, DFDS, nominated by Denmark, in recognition of her commitment to women’s empowerment.
Panel members recognized the practical, measurable outcomes of her work in creating opportunities for women to enter and progress in seafaring roles through education, mentoring, sea-time, and employment. They also recognized her leadership in promoting gender equality within workforce development initiatives.
IMO Gender Equality Award
The IMO Gender Equality Award was established by IMO to recognize individuals, irrespective of their gender, who have made significant contributions to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women in the maritime sector.
