How can the maritime sector move from commitments on diversity and inclusion to meaningful change in practice?
BlueRights supported Inclusion in Practice 2026, a one-day workshop hosted by I EXIST TOO and Hapag-Lloyd AG at Hapag-Lloyd’s headquarters in Hamburg, with additional support from the Isle of Man Ship Registry and Malta Ship Registry.
The event brought together maritime professionals, industry representatives, trade unions, charities, academics and advocates for an open discussion about inclusion, equity and belonging across the maritime sector. Rather than treating inclusion as a matter of policy alone, participants explored what it means in everyday working environments and how organisations can translate commitments into practical change.
Discussions addressed the connections between human rights, sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion, including LGBTQ+ inclusion and the experiences of people working both at sea and ashore. By bringing together perspectives from across industry, research and civil society, the workshop created space to share experiences, challenge assumptions and consider how maritime workplaces can become safer, fairer and more inclusive.
These questions connect directly with BlueRights’ work on the protection of people at sea. Human rights are shaped not only by legal frameworks, but by the conditions in which people live and work and their ability to participate in those environments with dignity and without discrimination.