Here Are the Nominees for Danish Shipping’s DEI-Award 2025
The three selected nominees for the DEI-Award 2025 have now been announced. It is a strong field from which the winner will be chosen. The award is presented to a shipping company or an individual in the shipping industry, who has made a special effort to promote diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI).
This year marks the fourth time that Danish Shipping will be presenting the DEI-Award.
The excitement will culminate, and the champagne corks will pop, when the winner is revealed and celebrated alongside the other nominees at Danish Shipping’s Blue Pride Bar on Thursday 14 August.
“Once again, we have an exceptionally strong trio of nominees for Danish Shipping’s DEI-Award, which we are now delighted to present. It has not been easy to select the three nominees among all the nominated candidates, and it will not get any easier when the jury has to choose the final winner. But, of course, this is what we call a luxury problem, as it is obviously a good thing that we have so many companies and individuals making such a significant and important effort to promote diversity, equality, and inclusion in our industry,” said Anne Windfeldt Trolle, Director of Labour Market, Recruitment and Education at Danish Shipping.
It is truly an impressive list of nominees, all of whom have implemented concrete measures that make a real difference in daily life
When selecting nominees, emphasis is placed on whether the nominated individual or shipping company has created change — either in the industry or locally within the company — in at least one of the DEI areas, for example by:
· Initiating a new initiative that promotes DEI through active use of new knowledge or practices
· Actively working to spread the DEI mindset among employees, management, and partners, thereby serving as a strong corporate ambassador and role model for others
“It is truly an impressive list of nominees, all of whom have implemented concrete measures that make a real difference in daily life. Ultimately, that is exactly what it is all about — and what we wish to celebrate,” said Anne Windfeldt Trolle.
In the picture: Last year's winners from Hafnia. Photo: Carsten Lundager
The Nominees
Svitzer
Svitzer is nominated for having taken concrete, employee-anchored steps towards greater inclusion in an operationally complex environment. At Svitzer, DEI is an integrated management priority. Inclusion permeates employer branding, recruitment processes, and cooperation with educational institutions. Svitzer has convincingly worked to promote diversity and inclusion, especially onboard its vessels. The company has changed its recruitment practices, launched initiatives targeting female employees and guests, and improved physical facilities, including introducing gender-neutral toilets and access to hygiene products. These initiatives represent a positive cultural shift in a traditionally male-dominated industry.
DFDS
DFDS has been nominated for the DEI Award 2025 in recognition of its strategic and bold efforts to promote diversity, equality, and inclusion.
The jury particularly highlights DFDS’s strong leadership commitment, where DEI goals are integrated into both KPIs and bonus schemes, as well as the broad anchoring of initiatives in core processes such as recruitment, pay, and leadership development.
The talent program Waves of Talent has already had a measurable impact — the proportion of female officers has increased from 4.4% to 10% in under two years, and DFDS has set a new target of 20% by 2030.
The company is also praised for its openness about gender pay gaps and for including transgender people in social media campaigns. The jury describes DFDS’s approach as both inspiring, transparent, and culturally transformative — with the potential to influence the entire industry.
Anne Mondrup, Senior Project Manager Marine People & Culture at A.P. Møller – Maersk – for the Marine Cadet Culture Program
Anne Mondrup and Maersk’s Marine Cadet Culture Program is nominated for its targeted and well-documented effort to put inclusion on the agenda early in career paths.
The program has so far included more than 800 cadets and thus lays the foundation for a new, inclusive culture in the fleet. With workshops on psychological safety, bias, and inclusion, personal involvement is ensured — and it works: 90% of participants feel better equipped to speak up.
The jury also highlights structural measures such as mid-term evaluations and dedicated study time, which support both cultural and institutional change. The initiative is considered strategic, scalable, and demonstrably effective.
Previous winners:
Danish Shipping’s DEI-Award was presented for the first time in 2022. The first winner was Hafnia for its “Maritime Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Lab”, created in collaboration with RightShip, Wilhelmsen, Thome Group, Rio Tinto, and Anglo American — a sort of diversity think tank.
In 2023, the award went to Trine Hoffmann from A.P. Møller – Maersk. The jury particularly emphasised Trine Hoffmann’s extraordinary drive, high level of ambition, and her contribution to elevating diversity to a new level within her organisation.
Last year, the award once again went to Hafnia. The jury highlighted the company’s very well-considered, broad approach to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion, which is continuously developed and expanded. This approach is supported by clear and ambitious goals and is followed up with data.
Members of the Jury
Torsten Mathias Augustsen, Professional Leader at SEA HEALTH AND WELFARE
Anja Rose, Head of Organisational Performance and Development, Welltec
Dr. Poornima Luthra, Associate Professor at Copenhagen Business School
Heidi Heseltine, CEO, Halcyon Recruitment and Founder, Diversity Study Group
Neele Pawlowski, Chartering Manager, Clipper Group, and Co-Founder of Women in Shipping Denmark
Anne Windfeldt Trolle, Director of Labor Market, Recruitment, and Education, Danish Shipping