On October 2, 2025, the official and festive opening of the “Maritime Women” exhibition took place at the Maritime Museum Rotterdam. Together with more than 200 guests, Mayor Schouten, and museum director Roland Pechtold, we celebrated this special milestone for visibility and inclusivity in the maritime sector and were able to ensure that everything ran smoothly.

Interactive and inspiring program

The evening began with a powerful remake of the song “Meisje Loos”, an ode to independence, daring, and pushing boundaries. Mayor Schouten and Roland Pechtold then shared their vision on inclusivity, the future of women in the maritime sector, and the importance of recording stories from the past and present. The exhibition is a tribute to all women who, often against the tide, have carved out a place for themselves at sea, in the harbor, on inland waterways, and on shore. Their stories are the compass and anchor point for the next generation. We concluded the evening with an in-depth conversation with the project team, who have transformed all these stories into this impressive and important exhibition. Diversity is not a side issue, but an absolute prerequisite for innovation and sustainability in our sector.

Online platform – share your story too

During this evening, the new platform maritiemevrouwen.nl was also launched, where women in maritime professions can share their stories and inspire each other. Together, we are making the network visible and paving the way for the women who follow💙.  Are you a woman in maritime, or do you know one? Share your story here!

Why this exhibition?

With this exhibition and the accompanying platform, we are highlighting what often remains hidden: the impact of women in a sector that is traditionally seen as male-dominated. The exhibition shows that women are not an exception, but have always been present everywhere—from shipbuilding to seafaring, from science to inland shipping.

More about the ‘Maritime Women’ exhibition