Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou News

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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.

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.

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.

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…

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.

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.

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…