Queen of the Road: 10% Female Drivers – A Milestone Reached

What started as an ambition is now a reality — and it strengthens the service we deliver to our customers. By the end of 2025, women make up 10% of our driver workforce, helping us secure capacity, stability, and reliable container transport across Europe.

A goal reached. A signal sent

The transport industry has been male dominated for a long time. But things only move when someone decides to move them.
That’s exactly why we launched Queen of the Road — with a clear goal:
10% female drivers by the end of 2025. And as one company across four countries, we made it.
Not because it “looked good on paper.”
Not because it was trendy.
But because being a great driver has nothing to do with gender — and everything to do with skills, responsibility, and dedication.

More drivers. More capacity. Better deliveries.

The driver shortage is one of the biggest challenges in our industry — and it affects all of us.
Customers need reliable capacity, and goods still need to move, no matter the season or the market.

That’s why opening the door wider — and making sure people feel welcome once they step in — isn’t just the right thing to do. It’s necessary.

Queen of the Road was created to help:

–  Make container trucking a realistic and attractive career choice for women too
–  Break outdated stereotypes about who “belongs” behind the wheel in the trucks
–  Build a stronger, more diverse driver community at Ancotrans — so we can keep delivering for our customers

Never alone behind the wheel

For many drivers, it’s not the truck that makes the difference — it’s the people around you. Being new in the industry can come with a steep learning curve, and the day-to-day work can sometimes be physically demanding. That’s why a supportive culture matters. Knowing you can ask for help, share a laugh, and rely on your colleagues makes all the difference — and it creates the kind of workplace where drivers feel safe, respected, and never alone on the job.

“Being a woman in a male-dominated industry is not scary at all, and I think it’s important to show that women can drive trucks too – and that everyone in our workforce is equally valuable!

I sometimes face physical challenges — the doors on some containers can be difficult to open and shut. Or the tarpaulin can be positioned so high that it’s hard to reach, while also having the strength to cut it open. But there’s always someone you can ask for help, and you just take any jokes that might come with a smile. All colleagues are incredibly helpful, and that means the world when you’re new to the industry.

I think ANCO’s Queen of the Road is a fantastic way to show the industry and women that it can be done. That when you are a woman — and maybe even a parent — it’s still possible to be a truck driver. But it does require more people across the industry to open up and look for solutions.”

Sophie Christensen, Driver Ancotrans

No “man’s world” — just great drivers

John Aage Hansen, one of our drivers and Employee Representatives, is a strong believer in creating a more inclusive transport industry — and he sees the value of diversity first-hand in everyday operations. For him, it’s not about gender, but about skills, mindset, and teamwork.
As he puts it:

“It’s a great thing to get more women into the industry. There’s no such thing as a ‘man’s world’ anymore — women are just as skilled behind the wheel. I always tell my female colleagues: don’t be afraid to ask for help. This job gives you freedom and independence, but you’re never alone. We’ve got each other’s backs.”

John Aage Hansen
Driver and Employee Representative Ancotrans

“The working hours scare a lot of people away. ‘How could I be in this industry if I had a child?’ But the flexibility is growing and that is positive.
For me, the best part of the job is the responsibility — but also the freedom. In the truck, I can focus on my own work, while we still have a strong sense of community at the port and in customs.”

Lonnie Skovlund Rasmussen, Driver Ancotrans

What’s next?
Building on what works

Having a more diverse workforce fosters a healthier and more dynamic work environment. When women enter the trucking industry, they bring different perspectives and experiences that can lead to positive changes. It helps create a workplace where there’s room for everyone. Where humour, openness, and flexibility in working hours become part of the culture. And that benefits everyone.

“Diversity makes us better – as a team and as a company. Different perspectives strengthen decision-making, collaboration, and culture. This milestone shows what happens when we give a damn and never give up.”

Jørgen Dalgaard, Fleet Manager Ancotrans

People are one of the core pillars in our strategy, and that starts with taking care of the drivers who keep our wheels turning every day. That means strengthening our driver platform across several areas – from retention and development to everyday working conditions.

Listening. Learning. Improving.

We are actively using insights from our engagement surveys, listening closely to feedback from our drivers, and turning those learnings into action. Because creating a strong, inclusive workplace isn’t one initiative – it’s about continuous improvement.

“Queen of the Road was never about numbers alone. It’s about creating a workplace where everyone feels they belong – and where talent gets the space to grow.”

Anette Zinklar Zinglersen, Head of People and Culture Ancotrans

We’ll keep building on what works.
We’ll keep investing in our people.
And we’ll keep making Ancotrans a place where drivers want to stay, grow, and be proud to belong.

Because when people thrive, so does our company – and that’s how we secure a strong future for transport.

And as always – There’s always a way.