WISTA International has elected C\u00e9line Mortier as its new President. The former WISTA Belgium President and CEO of maritime provider Bogerd Martin was formally appointed to the new role as part of this week\u2019s WISTA International AGM and Conference 2026.<\/p>\n
The appointment follows two terms as President for Elpi Petraki<\/strong>, who brought four years at the helm of the global association to a close at the event, staged in Kuala Lumpur, 28-30 October.<\/p>\n \u201cI am delighted to take on the role of President of WISTA International at a time of continued growth for our global network and undertake to work with purpose to advance WISTA\u2019s mission and impact,<\/em>\u201d said Mortier<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Co-hosted by WISTA Hong Kong SAR China, WISTA Malaysia and WISTA Singapore, this year\u2019s AGM and Conference brought together over 250 professionals from across the global maritime, logistics and trading sectors.<\/p>\n \u201cOur greatest strength lies in the knowledge, experience and connections within our global network. By bringing these together, strengthening collaboration across borders and supporting our National WISTA Associations, we can turn that collective expertise into meaningful action. We also have an important role to play in attracting the next generation of talent and showcasing the opportunities our industry has to offer,<\/em>\u201d added Mortier.<\/p>\n Four new NWAs were announced during the AGM \u2013 Bahamas, Egypt, Montenegro and the Philippines \u2013 bringing its total number of national associations to 64, while WISTA member numbers worldwide exceed 6,500.<\/p>\n Maryana Stober, Diruni Chanmugam and Amsha Gengan were also appointed to the WISTA International Executive Committee, after four years of dedicated service from Jemilat Mahamah, Dafne Anghelidis and Raimah Chowdhury. Proceedings also saw Mercantile Marine Management receive the prestigious WISTA International Corporate Diversity Award.<\/p>\n A video message from Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General of the IMO, stressed the importance of advancing women\u2019s participation and gender equality across the maritime sectors, highlighting the collaborative initiatives between the IMO and WISTA that have been designed specifically to promote inclusion, empower future talent and drive meaningful progress.<\/p>\n As Immediate Past President of WISTA International, Petraki reflected on Asia\u2019s growing influence on global trade and the changes transforming the industry in her opening address. She emphasised the value of cross-border collaboration and developing future maritime leaders, reaffirming WISTA\u2019s commitment to equitable opportunities for all.<\/p>\n \u201cThe challenges facing maritime do not stop at national borders, and neither should our thinking,<\/em>\u201d she said. \u201cOur reach continues to grow, but our impact goes beyond membership numbers. It lies in the connections we build, the support we offer, and the opportunities we help create.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n Isabel Tse, President of WISTA Hong Kong SAR China, Reshma Yousuf, President of WISTA Malaysia and Yukie Teo, President of WISTA Singapore, reiterated the significance of regional partnerships. The importance of closer connections was also highlighted by the Honourable Yang Berhormat Anthony Loke Siew Fook, Minister of Transport for Malaysia, in his ministerial address to delegates.<\/p>\n \u201cThe future competitiveness of maritime nations will depend not only on the strength of our individual ports, but on how effectively we connect them,<\/em>\u201d the Minister said. \u201cWe must therefore continue to strengthen regional partnerships, facilitate trade, and develop a more integrated maritime and logistics ecosystem.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n The cross-border collaborative theme shone through in a series of insightful discussions on Asia\u2019s position as a connector and innovation hub that is advancing conversations around sustainability, technology and inclusive leadership.<\/p>\n A deeply engaging fireside chat with Thomas Kazakos, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping placed people at the centre of the conversation. From protecting seafarers amid growing security threats to addressing regulatory fragmentation and advancing decarbonisation, Kazakos also emphasised the value of early engagement by the maritime sector with young people through initiatives such as Adopt a Ship.<\/p>\n Other sessions included insights from IMO Programme Officer Mariana Noceti and Helio Vicente, Director (Employment Affairs) at the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) on how to bridge the gap between ships and ports, and what it takes to strengthen maritime industry resilience.<\/p>\n The conference concluded with an inspiring Women at Sea session, where a panel of seafaring women shared their personal experiences on the impact workplace culture can have on career paths and progress.<\/p>\n The 2026 WISTA International AGM and Conference was supported by regional governmental organisations, industry associations and sponsors, including Platinum sponsor Port Klang Authority and gold sponsors Fleet Management Limited and MMC Ports.<\/p>\n The next WISTA International AGM and Conference will be held in Brazil, from 27-29 October 2027.<\/p>\n WISTA International<\/strong>: Formed in 1974, the Women\u2019s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA International) is a global organisation connecting executives and decision-makers around the world. WISTA International serves as a connector for its network of more than 6,500 professionals from all sectors of the maritime industry.<\/p>\n Today, National WISTA Associations (NWAs) are active in 64 countries, providing in-country and regional networking, business and skill-building opportunities, corporate visibility, and facilitating relationships within the industry. Each NWA is a member of WISTA International, which guides and cooperates with national associations on upholding the values and aims, and achieving the objectives agreed at the international association\u2019s AGM.<\/p>\n www.wistainternational.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" WISTA International has elected C\u00e9line Mortier as its new President. The former WISTA Belgium President […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":288113,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[273,298],"tags":[307],"class_list":["post-288112","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-maritimes-news","category-seagoing-maritimes-news","tag-featured-en"],"yoast_head":"\n