WISTA International has elected Céline Mortier (pictured) 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’s WISTA International AGM and Conference 2026.
The appointment follows two terms as President for Elpi Petraki, who brought four years at the helm of the global association to a close at the event, staged in Kuala Lumpur, 28-30 October.
“I 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’s mission and impact,” said Mortier.
Co-hosted by WISTA Hong Kong SAR China, WISTA Malaysia and WISTA Singapore, this year’s AGM and Conference brought together over 250 professionals from across the global maritime, logistics and trading sectors.
“Our 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,” added Mortier.
Four new NWAs were announced during the AGM – Bahamas, Egypt, Montenegro and the Philippines – bringing its total number of national associations to 64, while WISTA member numbers worldwide exceed 6,500.
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.
A video message from Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary General of the IMO, stressed the importance of advancing women’s 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.
As Immediate Past President of WISTA International, Petraki reflected on Asia’s 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’s commitment to equitable opportunities for all.
“The challenges facing maritime do not stop at national borders, and neither should our thinking,” she said. “Our 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.”
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.
“The future competitiveness of maritime nations will depend not only on the strength of our individual ports, but on how effectively we connect them,” the Minister said. “We must therefore continue to strengthen regional partnerships, facilitate trade, and develop a more integrated maritime and logistics ecosystem.”
The cross-border collaborative theme shone through in a series of insightful discussions on Asia’s position as a connector and innovation hub that is advancing conversations around sustainability, technology and inclusive leadership.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The next WISTA International AGM and Conference will be held in Brazil, from 27-29 October 2027.