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Wista International News

04 Jan 2024

Orsel Takes the Helm as ECSA's First Female President

Karin Orsel (Photo: ECSA)

Karin Orsel has been appointed the first female President ever in the history of the European Community Shipowners’ Associations (ECSA), starting on January 1, 2024 for a two-year term, with Mikki Koskinen joining as the new Vice-President. She succeeds Philippos Philis, who has held the position since January 2022.Commenting on her appointment, new ECSA President Karin Orsel said, “The strategic role of European shipping for the security of the Europe has come to the forefront.

17 May 2023

International Day for Women in Maritime: Thursday May 18

Source: IMO

The IMO invites everyone in the maritime industry to celebrate the International Day for Women in Maritime on social media using the hashtag #WomenInMaritimeDay.The International Day for Women in Maritime is held each year on May 18 to celebrate women working across the maritime industry. This year's theme is: “Mobilizing networks for gender equality”.The day celebrates women in the industry and promotes the recruitment, retention and sustained employment of women in the maritime sector…

27 Feb 2023

Uncrewed Ships Set to Bring Diversity Boost

(Image: Icean Infinity)

The maritime industry’s movement toward remote vessel operations will not only build a more diverse workforce, it will benefit from it, argues marine robotics company Ocean Infinity.Greater workforce diversity, whether it be considered along lines of ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, age, socioeconomic status, neurotype, physical ability or any other parameter, has shifted over the course of the last decade from a ‘nice to have’ to a fundamental value. The modern view of society that the thought leaders at Ocean Infinity subscribe to, is often characterized as ‘intersectionality’.

28 Oct 2022

Petraki Appointed President of WISTA International

Elpi Petraki (Photo: WISTA International)

WISTA International (Women's International Shipping and Trading Association) elected their new President, Elpi Petraki, from WISTA Hellas, at its Annual General Meeting on October 26, in Geneva, Switzerland. WISTA International consists of 56 National WISTA Association (NWA) and each one is represented by the President or a delegate at AGM and casts their vote for their country's choice for the President.Petraki, Operations, Chartering & Business Development Manager at ENEA Management, said "I am truly honoured to have been elected as President of WISTA International.

14 Oct 2021

WISTA International Elects New Board members

(Photo: WISTA)

The Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) executive committee held its election for three executive positions during their International AGM on October 13. The AGM was hosted in Hamburg alongside a conference that is taking place today and Friday.Connie Roozen, WISTA Netherlands, retains her position as treasurer for another term, whilst two new members were elected as Executive Committee members, Sofia Fu¨rstenberg Stott, WISTA Sweden and Nazli Selek…

13 Oct 2021

WISTA Tackles the Real Issues at Hamburg AGM

WISTA International AGM Hamburg (Photo: WISTA)

The rapidly changing face of maritime shipping and what it means for the future will be the theme for this year’s WISTA International Conference to be held in Hamburg on October 14 and 15.WISTA Germany is hosting the Conference and the AGM from October 13 which will be the first live event for WISTA members since 2019. The theme for the 41st conference is ‘Shipping 2025 – Today’s actions for tomorrow’s business.’ Among the topics are open discussions on climate change and how…

28 Sep 2021

Profiles in Maritime Leadership: Ulla Nielsen, MD, V.Ships Germany

Ulla Nielsen, Managing Director of V.Ships, Germany. Photo courtesy V. Ships, Germany

As a former master mariner with Maersk Line and currently the Managing Director of V.Ships, Germany, Ulla Nielsen was a natural choice to kick off Maritime Reporter & Engineering News’ profiles in maritime female leadership in the run up to the Women's International Shipping & Trading Association’s (WISTA) annual conference, scheduled to be held in person October 12-15, 2021 in Hamburg, Germany.Ulla, to start, can you provide some insight on your maritime career path?My background is as a master mariner sailing with Maersk Line…

06 May 2020

National WISTA Associations Offer Free Membership for Seafarers

Pia Meling, president of WISTA Norway (Photo: WISTA)

The Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association announced a new initiative aimed at helping seafarers.WISTA Norway, WISTA UK, WISTA Singapore, WISTA Brazil, and WISTA Argentina have come together to offer free WISTA membership for seafarers through August 31, 2020. Membership allows seafarers to access the largest network of female managers in the shipping industry, as well as online seminars, webinars and workshops. The idea for the project came from WISTA Norway.Pia Meling…

27 Jan 2020

IMO, WISTA Join on Gender Diversity

The Women's International Shipping and Trading Association Limited (WISTA International) and International Maritime Organization (IMO) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on promoting greater diversity and inclusion through enhanced cooperation activities in the maritime field.According to a press release from the UN body, these activities will lay the groundwork for further discussion on how a diverse workforce will be essential for a sustainable future.Initiatives already under way include a study to collect and analyze data on the number of women employed in the maritime sector; developing a database of female experts in a wide…

22 Nov 2019

WOC Signs Pact with WISTA International

A new partnership between World Ocean Council (WOC) and WISTA International will advance women’s leadership in the sustainable blue economy.The WOC and WISTA is initiating a partnership to advance women’s leadership in the ocean and coastal business community and the Sustainable Blue Economy, said a press note.WISTA is a global organization connecting female executives and professionals from all sectors of the maritime industry. With more than 3,000 members in 49 countries, WISTA leads with the conviction that gender diversity and inclusions are the keys to providing a sustainable future for the shipping, trading, and logistics industries worldwide.Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou…

03 Nov 2019

WISTA Re-elects Theodosiou as President

Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) announced that Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou (WISTA Cyprus), CEO of Tototheo Maritime, was re-elected to a second term as President.WISTA International elected Alexandra Anagnostis-Irons, President of Total Marine Solutions (WISTA USA) as Secretary, and Fabiana Simões Martins (WISTA Brazil), as Board Member, to the WISTA International Executive Committee at the 39th WISTA International Annual General Meeting on Grand Cayman on 30 October 2019.Naa Densua Aryeetey (WISTA Ghana), Head, Shipper’s Services & Trade Facilitation, Ghana Shippers’ Authority, was re-elected to a third term as a Board Member.Despina P. Theodosiou, CEO Tototheo Maritime was re-elected to her second term as WISTA International President.

28 Oct 2019

Diversity, Tech on Tap at WISTA Conference

Despina Theodosiou (Photo: WISTA International)

A top hostage negotiator, the CEO of a company which supplies environmental products to ship owners and operators and the heads of two maritime technology firms are all part of an impressive line-up of speakers scheduled to speak at the 2019 Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) AGM & Conference which takes place next week from Tuesday, October 29, to Friday, November 1. The four-day event is being hosted by WISTA Cayman Islands and is expected to bring over 200 maritime experts from 30-plus countries.

12 Sep 2019

IMO Emphasis on Empowering Women

International Maritime Organization (IMO)’s World Maritime theme for 2019 – “Empowering women in the Maritime Community” has featured prominently in events at the London International Shipping Week (9-13 September).A seminar co-hosted by Inmarsat and WISTA international (10 September) explored the theme of Diversity and Digitization in the Shipping Industry.Opening the event, IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim said, “If the fundamental nature of work is changing, this is the perfect time to re-examine and re-assess traditional roles and expectations in the workforce – and that means embracing diversity, and equality.” He stressed that promoting gender equality in shipping was important not only for its own sake…

07 Jun 2019

IMO's Gender Program in Spotlight

In a year when promoting and empowering women is a dominant theme throughout the maritime community, International Maritime Organization (IMO) hosted a special event at the Nor-Shipping exhibition (6 June) to highlight the some of the challenges – and the solutions – around encouraging women to take up seafaring roles.An all-female panel of experts, with many years' combined seagoing experience, spoke of some of the issues they have faced and which still need to be tackled. Many were simple yet vital things.One panellist spoke of the absence of sanitary products on board (despite shaving equipment being readily available) or a means to dispose of them. Another mentioned the real threat of sexual harassment and even assault.

02 May 2019

Empower Women in Maritime

Breaking down gender stereotypes in the maritime industry is not just important in its own right, it is also beneficial for the industry as a whole.That was one of the key messages to emerge from a special event held at International Maritime Organization (IMO) Headquarters in London, on International Labour Day (May 1), said the UN body.In a year when IMO is highlighting its efforts to empower women in the maritime community, a panel discussion among five high level female maritime professionals and an invited audience of IMO delegates and other maritime representatives explored issues around female representation in a traditionally male-dominated industry.Sakura Kuma (Executive Director of the Port of Yokohama)…

08 Mar 2019

WISTA Pledges for Inclusion of Women in Shipping

The Women's International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) has launched its inclusion pledge which addresses the under representation of women in the maritime industry.The pledge addresses the underrepresentation of women in the maritime industry through a series of statements aimed at embracing diversity through individual action and personal responsibility. Individuals are encouraged to sign the pledge in support of a diverse and inclusive maritime sector. Signatories of the pledge commit to “Embrace diversity of thought (including gender, race, ethnicity, and age) and contribute to a merit-based business environment within my organisation. I will be a champion of equal opportunity and equal pay. My behavior will reflect how I wish our industry to behave in the future.

27 Feb 2019

Iro Gidakou Becomes First female Captain in Cyprus

The Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA International) said that its member at Cyprus chapter Iro Gidakou has officially became Captain. Iro Gidakou, the first Cypriot female to qualify as Captain, said a press release from WISTA Cyprus.It gives us great pride and joy, that  â€œa life’s dream has been accomplished,” as Iro described it, said the release."A difficult journey without doubt, Iro has served on commercial vessels since 2008 and has managed to prove that hard work and pursuing your aspirations with passion, is the only weapon required to disrupt the status quo and diminish any barriers," it added."WISTA Cyprus is very proud of you Iro! Congratulations from us all.

11 Jun 2018

WISTA Japan Re-launched

Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) has announced the re-launch of WISTA Japan. "We are delighted to welcome Japan back to our WISTA family. Japan plays an important role in the maritime industry, being the second ship owing nation in the world and we are positive that WISTA Japan will contribute greatly to the aims and mission of WISTA International," said Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou, President of WISTA International. "I am very gland to re-launch WISTA Japan and to be registered as the official member of WISTA International. In the shipping industry in Japan, it is both socially and politically meaningful to create a women's association. We are looking forward to growing with WISTA International," said Shoko Kamimori, President of WISTA Japan.

19 Sep 2018

Portugal Joins WISTA International

The Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) has welcome Portugal to the global network of executive women in shipping.The launch of WISTA Portugal was announced today by Ana Paula Vitorino, Portugal’s Minister of the Sea at Portugal Shipping. WISTA Portugal joins 44 other National WISTA Associations (NWAs).“WISTA International has had a strong relationship with Portugal’s women in shipping,” said WISTA International President Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou. “We are proud to formally include Portugal in the WISTA family. Portugal’s significance among maritime countries, especially in Europe, brings new avenues for business to WISTA…

31 Oct 2018

WISTA International Elects New Board Members

Women's International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) elected Connie Roozen, Director of C&B More as Treasurer and Angie Hartmann, Vice President Crew Affairs, Starbulk  as Board Member, to the WISTA International Executive Committee.Sanjam Gupta, Director Sitara Shipping, was re-elected to a third term on the Executive Committee. Kathy Metcalf, CEO of the Chamber of Shipping of America, was honored as the 2018 WISTA International Personality of the Year.Connie Roozen is Director at C& B More, a tax consultancy firm. Roozen has served as Treasurer for WISTA the Netherlands since 2014. She takes over the position from Rachel Lawton (WISTA UK)…

05 Nov 2018

WISTA Elects New BoD, Honors 2018 Personality of the Year

Kathy Metcalf, CEO CSA

Kathy Metcalf, CEO of the Chamber of Shipping of America, was honored as the 2018 WISTA International Personality of the Year.New WISTA BoardWomen's International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) elected Connie Roozen, Director of C&B More (WISTA the Netherlands) as Treasurer and Angie Hartmann, Vice President Crew Affairs, Starbulk S.A. (WISTA Hellas) as Board Member, to the WISTA International Executive Committee at their 38th International Annual General Meeting in TromsØ, Norway on October 24, 2018.

31 Jan 2018

WISTA Singapore Launches Asia Conference

Magdalene Chew - President of WISTA Singapore (Photo: WISTA)

Women leaders from all over the world will gather in Singapore to attend the forthcoming WISTA Singapore Asia Conference taking place on May 10, 2018. The theme of the conference is “#UnlockingAsia – Opportunities and Threats” and topics such as “Ports & Terminals”, “Cyber Security” and “One Belt One Road Initiative” will be explored by experts in these areas in various panel discussions. Hosted by WISTA Singapore, a National Chapter of WISTA International and the first to be founded in Asia in 1998…

08 Mar 2018

WISTA International Appoints Diversity Committee

The Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) is proud to announce the formation of its Diversity Committee. A member-driven project created as a next step after the #METOO campaign, the WISTA Diversity Committee will focus on providing practical solutions to increase opportunities for gender diversity in the maritime industry. The committee works as part of WISTA International’s 2018 theme: The Women Who Move the World. “WISTA has always advocated for increased gender diversity in the maritime industry. Over the years our members and National WISTA Associations have taken significant steps in increasing the opportunities, support, and roles for women in our industry,” said WISTA International president Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou.