Hafnia once again wins Danish Shipping’s Diversity Award
Danish Shipping’s DEI Award celebrates initiatives that make a positive difference in everyday working life and contribute to more inclusive and well-functioning workplaces.
The theme of Danish Shipping’s 2026 Diversity Award is “Small Changes, Big Impact”. With the jury naming Hafnia this year’s winner, the company has now received Danish Shipping’s Diversity Award three times since it was first presented in 2022.
“It means an incredible amount to us, because it’s something we invest a great deal of time and energy in, and it’s an ongoing project. So it’s a huge recognition. We strongly believe that small initiatives, taken together, can have a big impact. We’re therefore really pleased to be recognised for our efforts,” says Mia Krogslund Jørgensen, Vice President, People, Culture & Strategy at Hafnia.
“Hafnia is a highly prominent player in the maritime sector and has invested considerable effort in its DEI work. The company takes a systematic and ambitious approach, providing great inspiration to other shipping companies. It is therefore thoroughly deserved that the jury has selected Hafnia as the winner of this year’s DEI Award from a very strong field,” says Nina Porst, Executive Director of Sustainable Shipping and Skills at Danish Shipping.
Hafnia is a highly prominent player in the maritime sector and has invested considerable effort in its DEI work. The company takes a systematic and ambitious approach, providing great inspiration to other shipping companies
In reaching its decision, the jury chose to recognise Hafnia’s Seafarer Advisory Board, which draws on seafarers’ own experiences of inclusion and company culture.
“Involving seafarers and drawing on their own experiences is a crucial step towards creating changes that genuinely work and reach every part of the organisation. The people working on deck, on the bridge and in the offices experience the workplace culture first-hand. Their voices must therefore be heard if we are to create lasting change,” says Nina Porst.
Hafnia won the award ahead of a strong field of nominees:
Esvagt was nominated for a practical and accessible initiative focusing on well-being, dialogue and the prevention of bullying. Among other things, the company has developed a deck of cards for use on board, based on realistic dilemmas from everyday life at sea.
Uni-Tankers was nominated for “Fleet’s Got Talent”, an initiative that creates a space where people feel encouraged to share something of themselves and build relationships across roles, vessels and geographical locations.
The photo shows Mikkel Boesen and Mia Krogslund Jørgensen from Hafnia. The award was presented by Erika Markvardsen from last year’s winner, DFDS (second from the right). Also pictured is Nina Porst from Danish Shipping (far right).
Photo: Carsten Lundager
Previous winners of Danish Shipping’s Diversity Award
Danish Shipping’s Diversity Award was first presented in 2022, when Hafnia won for its Maritime Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) Lab. Created in partnership with RightShip, Wilhelmsen, Thome Group, Rio Tinto and Anglo American, the initiative served as a diversity think tank.
In 2023, the award went to Trine Hoffmann of A.P. Moller – Maersk. The jury placed particular emphasis on Hoffmann’s exceptional drive, her high level of ambition, and her contribution to taking diversity within her organisation to a new level.
In 2024, the award once again went to Hafnia. The jury highlighted the company’s carefully considered and comprehensive approach to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion, which is continuously developed and expanded. The approach is supported by clear and ambitious targets and monitored using data.
Last year, DFDS won the Diversity Award. Among other things, the jury highlighted DFDS’s strong leadership commitment, with DEI targets incorporated into both KPIs and bonus schemes, as well as the broad integration of initiatives into core processes such as recruitment, remuneration and leadership development. Its Waves of Talent programme has already delivered measurable results.
Members of the Jury
- Torsten Mathias Augustsen, Professional Leader at Sea Health & Welfare
- Anja Rose, Head of Organisational Performance and Development, Welltec
- Hannah Holst Kragelund, Regional Head of People and Culture, Europe, Svitzer
- Heidi Heseltine, CEO of Halcyon Recruitment and Founder of the Diversity Study Group
- Nina Porst, Executive Director of Sustainable Ships and Skills at Danish Shipping