7th Edition of OSM Thome News — OSM Thome

The maritime industry has long been male dominated, and women occupy only 5% of leadership roles globally. Leaders like Camilla Aardal, CFO of OSM Thome, are changing that. As one of the few female CFOs in the sector, she is breaking barriers and paving the way for more women in finance and leadership.

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Accelerate Action” calls for bold, immediate steps toward gender equality. In this interview, Camilla shares her journey, the challenges women still face, and the actions needed to ensure leadership opportunities are truly open to all.

1. The theme for International Women’s Day is “Accelerate Action.” What concrete steps can companies take to drive gender equality in maritime finance?

Progress requires real action. Companies must ensure leadership roles are accessible by implementing transparent hiring and promotion policies based on merit, not gender. Investing in mentorship and leadership programs is also crucial in preparing women for decision-making roles. I also believe active sponsorship is very impactful, meaning that we as leaders actively promote and advocate for talented women, and help to open doors for advancement. Lastly, creating an inclusive culture where women are supported in career growth while balancing personal commitments is key. At OSM Thome, we don’t just talk about diversity – we embed it into how we operate.

2. As one of the few female CFOs in maritime, what actions helped you break barriers, and how can other women follow suit?

Breaking barriers takes both personal effort and institutional support. The personal effort meant for me always setting high goals, working hard and learning everything I could from the colleagues around me. The support I was fortunate to receive from a few key mentors and leaders that coached me, promoted me and challenged me. Confidence is key here – I think women sometimes underestimate their abilities or wait for opportunities. We shouldn’t! Companies can do a lot here, by ensuring talent and leadership as a basis for promotions. The goal is to move from seeing women as exceptions in leadership to making them the norm.

3. What challenges still exist for women in maritime finance, and what actions are needed to overcome them?

I think this goes for many industries, where unconscious bias remains a major challenge, with leadership still often seen as a male domain, and women often being judged more harshly than their male counterparts. This affects hiring, promotions, and perceptions of leadership potential. To drive change, companies must conduct unbiased performance evaluations, ensure women are part of succession planning, and create inclusive workplace cultures. Parental leave, flexible work, and career progression policies should support-not penalize-women. Real change happens when leadership makes inclusion a priority in actions, not just words.

4. Many women hesitate to pursue leadership due to work-life balance challenges or lack of representation. What steps can they take to lead with confidence?

Leadership isn’t about being perfect – it’s about being prepared. Women often wait to meet every qualification, while men apply even when they meet only some. My advice? Go for it. Building a strong support system – mentors, peers, and networks – is also key. Speak up, take on projects, and advocate for yourself. Take more risks! And remember – as a woman, the most powerful way to grow as a leader is to inspire and promote other women around you. Progress happens when women take action-not just for their own careers, but to open doors for others.

5. How is OSM Thome accelerating action for women’s advancement, and what role does leadership play in fostering real change?

At OSM Thome, we know progress doesn’t happen by chance-it happens by design. We ensure diversity is reflected in leadership, create growth opportunities for women both onshore and onboard, and foster a culture that recognizes talent above all else. Leadership must actively support gender equality, not just through policies but through decisive actions. This is a responsibility all leaders need to take personally. We are committed to breaking barriers-not just for today’s workforce but for the next generation of women in maritime. The more action we take now, the stronger and more diverse our industry will be.

Camilla Aardal’s leadership as CFO of OSM Thome proves that breaking barriers and accelerating action for women in maritime is not just possible-it’s necessary. While progress has been made, true change happens through deliberate, sustained action. At OSM Thome, accelerating action means fostering an environment where women can lead, grow, and redefine the industry’s future. As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, we recognize that real progress happens when conversations turn into concrete actions.

This is how we #AccelerateAction.