Sonali Banerjee: The glass ceiling was there to be broken
The career of Sonali Banerjee, as part of the wider SHE_SEES component of the Rewriting Women into Maritime History programme.
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SHE_SEES India
Rewriting Women: International
Equity & Transparency
Honouring the stories of India’s maritime women
The groundbreaking project to uncover and showcase the role of women in the maritime sector – past and present – is celebrating India’s leading women change‑makers.
Now in its international phase, stories and features celebrating women championing change within India’s maritime sector have been drawn together. With material that includes a mix of striking visuals, art and storytelling, the project highlights the activities undertaken by these women, and how they are influencing their industry. By working with portrait photographer and visual artist Emilie Sandy, Lloyd’s Register Foundation helps bring attention to the women's stories and incredible careers to date.
Late in October 2025, the SHE_SEES team travelled to Mumbai to meet the women of Indian shipping, who had gathered for India Maritime Week. The mission was to learn from them and use their hidden voices and different perspectives to drive change.
Some 33 women were interviewed and photographed during the event, with the ages of the women and the sectors they represented ranging from 20 to 73, from ship management and ports to law, media and insurance.
In terms of maritime diversity, India is further ahead than many countries. According to the Women in Maritime Survey 2024, jointly published by International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the Women's International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA), it accounts for some 7% of women seafarers, which is substantially higher than the overall global average of 1%. So, we also sought to use this opportunity to gain an understanding of why Indian women are more readily getting onboard. They were asked what motivations and influential figures shaped their career in shipping, as well as what foundations they think need to be built to help women thrive in the maritime industry.
SHE_SEES India
SHE_SEES India captures the voices of women shaping maritime today - sharing their ambitions, challenges, and visions for a more inclusive industry.
By bringing these stories together, the project ensures their voices are not forgotten, but recognised as part of maritime history and its future.
India Maritime Week
Explore the portraits of the women of the Indian maritime industry captured during India Maritime Week in October 2025.
Each woman was asked the following three questions:
How did you get into shipping?
Who has contributed to or inspired your maritime journey?
What more could India do to encourage women to thrive in maritime?
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