WISTA conference highlights momentum for gender equality and decarbonisation in maritime industry

Collaboration emerged as a pivotal theme at the 2025 WISTA AGM and Conference held in Barcelona from 22 to 24 October, as maritime, trade, and logistics leaders gathered to chart a united course toward sustainability, gender equality, and decarbonisation across their sectors. Bringing together over 400 professionals, the largest attendance in WISTA’s over 50-year history, the event underscored the collective effort required to transform the maritime industry.

Elpi Petraki, WISTA International President, delivered a keynote speech that highlighted the strength of collective commitment in advancing gender equality within maritime. She noted that shipping’s historic capacity to unite diverse cultures and disciplines fosters problem-solving and innovation, crucial for industry renewal amid change. Drawing on insights from this year’s Nobel laureates in Economic Sciences, Petraki framed current industry disruptions as opportunities for creative destruction that pave the way for long-term growth.

The Port of Barcelona, a major sponsor and host, alongside national and regional transport administrations, conveyed strong support for these goals. Port President Jose Alberto Carbonell pledged ongoing commitment to gender equality and innovation, advocating for purpose-driven responses to the sector’s challenges. Similarly, Benito Núñez Quintanilla, Secretary of State for Maritime and Air Transport in Spain, reaffirmed government backing for WISTA’s mission and emphasized gender balance as essential to maritime success. He also reiterated Spain’s commitment to fully decarbonising maritime activities in alignment with international trading objectives. Catalonia's Secretary of Mobility and Infrastructures, Manel Nadal, highlighted the region’s vital maritime logistics role supporting over 24,000 companies, reflecting local economic reliance on sustainable port operations.

The conference theme, "Powering the Future of Shipping & Trade: Global Energy in Challenging Times," framed discussions that ranged from decarbonisation policy and technological advances to geopolitical challenges impacting trade and supply chain digitalisation. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), provided an authoritative overview of the latest developments from the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) extraordinary session, outlining next steps for the global maritime sector's decarbonisation pathway. His participation reflected IMO’s ongoing collaboration with WISTA, particularly in championing diversity and leadership opportunities across maritime professions.

One of the event's highlights was Dominguez’s fireside chat with Dorothea Ioannou, CEO of The American P&I Club, which delved into the complex interplay of policy, regulation, and the human element in global shipping. The discussion spanned decarbonisation, legal frameworks, seafarer welfare, safety, human rights, and the importance of retaining women in maritime roles. They also explored emerging international treaties such as the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty and the evolving role of the IMO in setting future agendas.

Ahead of the conference sessions, WISTA International convened its Annual General Meeting and President’s roundtable. The AGM marked leadership changes with Mariella Collazzi appointed Treasurer, following Connie Roozen’s seven years of service. The association welcomed new National WISTA Associations in Croatia, Kenya, and Malta, along with the relaunch of WISTA Japan, signalling WISTA’s ongoing global expansion. A refreshed brand identity was unveiled, symbolising WISTA’s commitment to unity, global reach, and advancing women’s participation across shipping, trade, and logistics.

This highly collaborative event demonstrated how leadership across the sector is increasingly converging to tackle shared challenges, fostering innovation and sustainable transformation. As the maritime industry navigates a complex future marked by energy transition and shifting global trade dynamics, WISTA’s role as a convenor and catalyst for inclusive progress appears more central than ever.