At the age of 34, Greek seafarer Ioanna Spanaki has reached a position that reflects more than a decade of work at sea. In July this year, after beginning her career as a cadet in 2012, she was promoted to ship master.

Her first voyage in command of the MV Florida included a call at Porto Sudeste, in Itaguaí, where the vessel underwent an iron ore loading operation. During her time at the terminal, Ioanna was also surprised by the number of women working in the port environment.

“So far, this was the first time I had visited a terminal that showed such strong interest in the presence of women in the maritime industry,” said the master, who also commended the company’s efforts to promote diversity and equal opportunities.

Originally from the island of Crete, Ioanna graduated from a Merchant Marine Academy in the region. Although her family had no background in the industry, she was drawn to the challenges of the profession. She says her initial goal was to become Chief Officer, a position she achieved in 2019, at the age of 27. It was then that she realized she could progress even further and decided to pursue the role of ship master.

“Taking command of a ship brings a combination of pride and responsibility. I thought about the enormous responsibility I would have to ensure the safety of my crew, the vessel, and its cargo. At the same time, I felt completely prepared, knowing that my training and years of experience at sea had equipped me for that exact role.”

Her career has also been shaped by the challenges of working in a predominantly male environment. According to Ioanna, dealing with high-pressure situations from an early stage helped her develop her decision-making and leadership skills. She acknowledges that, as a woman, she faced situations in which she was not always treated equally, but says these experiences strengthened her determination.

For Ioanna, increasing female representation in the maritime industry requires stronger mentoring programs, equal opportunities, and continued cultural change. Her message to women interested in pursuing a career at sea is clear: “Never let anyone define your limits based on your gender. Stay focused on your goals, never stop learning, and build your resilience.”

The vessel’s call at the terminal also led to a special meeting with Renata Santos, an LPS operator at Porto Sudeste. For Renata, welcoming a woman in command of the ship made the visit particularly meaningful.

“We had a wonderful experience on board and received an incredibly warm and thoughtful welcome from the master. We were delighted to welcome a woman commanding a ship at our terminal. It was a very special visit for us as women. It reinforces the idea that ‘a woman’s place is wherever she wants to be.’”

The meeting between the two women reflects the very transformation taking place in the maritime industry, which has long been predominantly male. Ioanna’s journey, along with those of many other women, serves as an inspiration and shows that occupying these spaces can open new paths in an industry that still has considerable progress to make on diversity and equal opportunities.