Afterall, we Egyptians are a very proud seafaring nation.
Sea Pioneers:
The “Khufu Boat”, the oldest Egyptian ship found intact, dates back to 2,500 BC
Source: Institut of Nautical Archaeology
In the Arab world, where cultural traditions still often dictate what women should do, Marwa Elselehdar decided to blaze her own path. With determination, authenticity and faith, the native of Egypt became the first woman to ever graduate from a prestigious maritime academy while pursuing her dream of becoming a captain. Marwa’s story of going against the tide isn’t about resistance and rebellion – it’s about confidently setting her own course and leaving a guiding wake for others to follow.
The late afternoon sun turns the glass buildings along Dubai Creek into golden mirrors. Ships silently glide by on the water, their outlines shimmering against the fading light. For Marwa, the sea has always been fascinating. “There’s something about the water that always brings me peace,” she says, adding with a grin:
“The sound of the waves, the smell of salt – it reminds me of being on board a vessel, where I first found myself.”
Gazing across the water toward Dubai’s skyline on the horizon, Marwa adjusts the golden eagle pendant around her neck – a familiar gesture that has become her quiet ritual. “The eagle,” she says softly, tracing its outline with her fingers, “symbolizes freedom, focus and strength. It flies high, but always with precision.” In Egypt, where she grew up, that symbol is associated with courage. But, for Marwa, eagles also embody resilience as they soar above the desert and sea. “I have always admired their character, as it feels so close to my own,” she adds with a laugh, her brown eyes sparking with joy.
The 34-year-old is currently steering Hapag-Lloyd’s network operations in the Middle East on land. But her journey began at sea. “The sound of the waves, the smell of salt – it reminds me of being on board a vessel, where I first found myself”, she says.
The sea feels like home to Marwa. It’s where her story began and, in many ways, where it continues.
Rooted in Alexandria and thriving in Dubai, Marwa Elselehdar carries both worlds with her. The rhythm of the sea is woven into her journey and continues to guide the work she leads today.
Sixteen years ago, in Alexandria, a younger Marwa was about to take the first step into an ocean of uncertainty. She had decided to study navigation at the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport – a decision that would make her the first woman in Egypt to join the academy’s maritime college.
Her family’s reactions to her decision were mixed. Her brother, already a cadet at the same academy, encouraged her. Her mother believed in her from the start. And although her father was initially hesitant, as he worried about her safety, that didn’t stop Marwa. “He raised me to make my own decisions – so I went for it!” she says.
“The Navigation Class is located down the hall,”
a classmate told Marwa first day in a polite attempt to help her find her way. But Marwa wasn’t lost. “I knew exactly where I was going,” she recalls, smiling at the memory. “It wasn’t confidence back then – it was determination.” Inside that classroom, hundreds of male cadets stared at her in surprise. She felt every glance, every unspoken question. “My first year was very tough,” she admits. “Every move was watched, every decision scrutinized.”
Sophisticated outfits, bold and elegant at the same time, have always been part of how Marwa expresses herself, but her love of style and fashion was often viewed as mere vanity, something that didn’t belong in the world of ships and machine oil. Despite the dismissiveness, she refused to change who she was to fit the mold. “Pursuing my dreams wasn’t smooth sailing,” she recalls. “I encountered obstacles and stereotypes about women in the maritime world. But I chose to rise above it all. When you’re authentic, no one can divert you from your path.”
My first year was very tough. Every move was watched, every decision scrutinized.
Marwa boarded her first vessel in 2012. To qualify as a second officer, she needed a full year of training at sea. Once again, she was the only woman. “Some of the crew members doubted that I could complete the voyage,” she remembers.
“They thought I might get sick or give up.”
Instead, Marwa redoubled her efforts. With the support of her captain and those who believed in her, she completed the year – and earned an award as one of the best cadets.
In addition to proving her own worth, Marwa’s determination opened doors for others. “After that voyage, the academy started to admit more female cadets,” she notes with a hint of pride. “The change was small at first, but it mattered.”
Despite these accomplishments, graduation brought new challenges. “Even with my second officer license, it took me an entire year to find a position on board,” she explains. “Most employers wouldn’t hire women; they said the work was too hard.” Those were the moments that tested Marwa’s faith most profoundly. “Sometimes you start to wonder if it’s even worth it,” she muses. “And then you remind yourself why you began.”
By 2021, after years of perseverance in a world that often questioned her place in it, Marwa found a workplace that finally recognized her for who she was and what she could do. “At Hapag-Lloyd, it was different,” she says reflectively. She was welcomed with openness and respect from the very beginning, she says, adding: “My co-workers trusted me with responsibility, gave me space to apply and enhance my skills, and listened to my perspective.”
For the first time, she was not seen as an exception, a risk or merely a token of diversity – but as a colleague whose expertise on land and sea carried weight.
Marwa boarded her first vessel in 2012. To qualify as a second officer, she needed a full year of training at sea. Once again, she was the only woman. “Some of the crew members doubted that I could complete the voyage,” she remembers.
“They thought I might get sick or give up.”
Instead, Marwa redoubled her efforts. With the support of her captain and those who believed in her, she completed the year – and earned an award as one of the best cadets.
In addition to proving her own worth, Marwa’s determination opened doors for others. “After that voyage, the academy started to admit more female cadets,” she notes with a hint of pride. “The change was small at first, but it mattered.”
Despite these accomplishments, graduation brought new challenges. “Even with my second officer license, it took me an entire year to find a position on board,” she explains. “Most employers wouldn’t hire women; they said the work was too hard.” Those were the moments that tested Marwa’s faith most profoundly. “Sometimes you start to wonder if it’s even worth it,” she muses. “And then you remind yourself why you began.”
By 2021, after years of perseverance in a world that often questioned her place in it, Marwa found a workplace that finally recognized her for who she was and what she could do. “At Hapag-Lloyd, it was different,” she says reflectively. She was welcomed with openness and respect from the very beginning, she says, adding: “My co-workers trusted me with responsibility, gave me space to apply and enhance my skills, and listened to my perspective.”
For the first time, she was not seen as an exception, a risk or merely a token of diversity – but as a colleague whose expertise on land and sea carried weight.
This place has a spirit. You can almost feel the past in the walls.
As the sun begins to set, the waterfront promenade is now shifting from gold to deep blue. Marwa continues her stroll toward Al Seef Street, one of her favorite places in Dubai. The air changes here, and the sound of water gives way to the hum of commerce and conversation. Here in the Old City, sand-colored buildings with “wind towers” – a traditional architectural element used to create cross ventilation and passive cooling – rise above narrow sikkas, alleys lined with handcrafts, fragrances, spices and hidden gems of Emirati heritage around every corner. “This place has a spirit,” she says. “You can almost feel the past in the walls.”
For Marwa, Al Seef Street is a bridge between eras, a lively metaphor for her own path as a woman navigating between tradition and transformation. “It’s a cozy blend of old and new – like the industry I love,” she adds. “Shipping has a long history, but it’s still evolving.”
In Dubai’s vibrant spice souks, Marwa moves through colors, scents and memories that echo her roots. By the water’s edge she finds the same calm focus that has guided her since her early days in Alexandria.
Looking back, Marwa says she doesn’t resent those who doubted her. Her journey through the maritime world was never about proving that women – who make up less than 2% of seafarers – can do it. Instead, it has been about proving that anyone who works hard deserves a fair chance. In fact, Marwa now uses social media and speaking engagements at international events to publicly advocate for more diversity and inclusion in shipping – and to let those still standing on the shore, uncertain about whether to take the leap, know that a path has already been carved for them to follow.
Her words resonate far beyond the industry. And to young women in the Arab world, in particular, she has become a symbol of what persistence and authenticity can achieve.
Her values, Marwa explains, are rooted in how she was raised. “I don’t like to blindly inherit ideas,” she says. “I make my own principles.” She also believes that internal peace is the foundation of strength, giving her the calm confidence that has helped her persevere in an industry not designed with women in mind. “You change the world by being yourself,” she says. “You don’t have to be loud to make a difference – you just have to be steady.”
A revolution of its own
Anna Shchetinina was the first woman to captain an ocean-going vessel in 1935. Her journey led her from Hamburg to Odessa, then onward through Singapore, before finally reaching Kamchatka in what was then the Soviet Union.
As night falls over Al Seef Street, the lanterns light up one by one. Marwa pauses at a small market stall – known as a souk – to select a handful of spices, souvenirs she’ll bring back to family and friends.
This is her Dubai – vibrant, layered, and full of possibility. “When I walk here, I feel connected,” she says.
“It’s where my past meets my future — a reminder that change is the only thing that stays constant in life.”
Marwa speaks of the future with confidence. She wants to keep growing, to use her experience to mentor young people and one day to establish her own company dedicated to leadership, technology and sustainability. But she isn’t in a hurry. “I believe everything comes in its right time,” she says. “I’ve learned that life doesn’t always go the way you plan. But if you stay true to yourself and keep your faith, you can rise above anything.”
A long voyage ahead
According to the IMO-WISTA Women in Maritime Survey 2024, Women’s presence on maritime boards is rising – 34% today, up 6% since 2021. But the pipeline to executive power is narrowing: the number of female C-level leaders has fallen by a 25%.
Listen to Marwa and discover why being yourself is the most powerful step toward any dream.
Photos by: Anna Shtraus; personal imagery kindly provided by Marwa Elselehdar
Text by: Lisa Wagner
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