LONDON, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Yu Jiajia, a teaching chief mate and instructor at Dalian Maritime University's Navigation College, located in China's northeastern Liaoning Province, has been selected to receive the 2027 International Maritime Organization (IMO) Gender Equality Award, the UN maritime agency said on Thursday.
Nominated by China, Yu was recognized for her contributions to advancing gender equality and empowering women in the maritime sector.
The IMO Council endorsed her selection during its 138th session in London. She will receive the award in May 2027 alongside celebrations for the International Day for Women in Maritime, observed annually on May 18.
Over the past 16 years, Yu has combined seagoing experience with teaching, research and advocacy to expand opportunities for women in the maritime sector, the IMO said.
She is the first woman under the jurisdiction of the Liaoning Maritime Safety Administration to obtain a certificate of competency for service on ships operating in unlimited navigation areas. With more than 50 months of seagoing service, she has progressed from cadet to third mate, second mate and teaching chief mate.
As an instructor aboard the university's ocean-going training vessel Yu Kun, Yu has supervised about 3,000 students, including more than 1,000 women. She has also conducted over 100 one-to-one career mentoring sessions for female students and encouraged their participation in bridge operations, lifesaving and firefighting exercises.
Yu has contributed to more than 10 teaching reform initiatives, co-authored over 10 professional textbooks and participated in more than 30 maritime education research projects, integrating research findings into teaching to help students keep pace with advances in navigation technology.
The IMO Gender Equality Award recognizes individuals, irrespective of gender, who have made significant contributions to advancing gender equality and empowering women in the maritime sector.
According to China's permanent mission to the IMO, women accounted for 23 percent of staff in China's maritime administration authorities as of 2025, with their representation increasing in core fields such as navigation technology, ship inspection, maritime law enforcement and emergency response.
As of 2025, China had more than 290,000 registered female seafarers, accounting for 15 percent of its registered seafarers. Women held important roles in such areas as inland shipping and cruise services, and the country had trained 423 female captains and officers, the mission said. ■
