- Secretary-General stresses collaboration for low- and zero-carbon maritime transition.
- Seafarer well-being and gender balance highlighted in key discussions.
- Data-driven action central to IMO–WISTA partnership, says Louise Proctor.
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) took part in the WISTA International Annual General Meeting and Conference in Barcelona, Spain, from October 20 to 24. The theme for this year was “Powering the Future of Shipping & Trade: Global Energy in Challenging Times.”A key focus of the event was gender equality, highlighting IMO’s ongoing partnership with WISTA International to promote diversity, inclusion, and leadership opportunities within the maritime industry, reports IMO.
Highlights from IMO Leadership at Key Sessions
IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Domínguez played a significant role in two important sessions: a roundtable discussion on Decarbonization and its impacts on the Shipping, Cruise, and Energy Industries, and a closing fireside chat with Ms Dorothea Ioanno, the CEO of The American Club. He emphasised the importance of collaboration among governments, shipowners, and innovators to facilitate the maritime sector’s transition to low- and zero-carbon fuels. The conversations also touched on vital topics like seafarer well-being, recruitment hurdles, gender balance, and the IMO’s role in fostering equality throughout the industry.
Strengthening the IMO–WISTA Partnership
During a session on “IMO–WISTA International partnership update,” IMO Deputy Director for Planning and Programming Ms Louise Proctor highlighted the role of data-driven initiatives in shaping inclusive policies. She stated, “This partnership is about action, not just awareness. Together, we are building an ocean of opportunity for women in maritime.”
Key Insights from the Women in Maritime Survey
The second IMO–WISTA Women in Maritime Survey, which came out in May 2025, unveiled the first-ever global dataset on women’s involvement in both public and private maritime sectors. The results reveal that women make up just under 19% of the total workforce, translating to 176,820 individuals in 2024, a rise from 151,979 in 2021.
In national maritime authorities, women represent 19% of the workforce, while in the private sector (excluding seafarers), that number drops to 16%. Unfortunately, when it comes to life at sea, women are still significantly underrepresented, making up only 1% of seafarers. On a brighter note, 5% of students pursuing seafaring degrees are women, suggesting that more women are stepping into maritime education, even though fewer are making the leap into seafaring careers.
Looking Ahead: The 2027 Survey and Future Commitments
The next IMO–WISTA Women in Maritime Survey is set for 2027, with a continued focus on promoting gender equality, transparency, and opportunities within the global maritime community. Ms Proctor emphasised the importance of widespread participation across sectors, highlighting that the aim is to create a comparable dataset that can help pinpoint gaps, track progress, and develop initiatives that truly address real needs rather than assumptions.
Ongoing IMO Initiatives for Women’s Empowerment
The IMO has reaffirmed its commitment to gender representation through various initiatives, including:
- The Global Strategy for the IMO Women in Maritime Associations 2024–2029 was approved by the Technical Cooperation Committee in June 2025.
- The Women’s Leadership and Empowerment (WLE) training course, developed in partnership with the World Maritime University (WMU) and WISTA International.
- The ongoing SMART-C Women programme.
Gender equality remains a key strategic priority woven into all IMO projects and technical cooperation efforts, as the organisation continues to advocate for inclusivity and empowerment for women in the maritime field.
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Source: IMO
