WISTA 2026 Gathers in Kuala Lumpur to Examine Asia's Maritime Leadership
Cubierto por 3 fuentesPublicado
- GCAPTAIN_NEWSAsia’s maritime community to take centre stage at upcoming WISTA 2026
- MARITIME_EXECUTIVEAsia’s Maritime Community to Take Centre Stage at Upcoming WISTA 2026
- mundo maritimoWISTA International AGM & Conference 2026 reunirá en Malasia a los líderes de la industria marítima
- MARITIME_EXECUTIVEOp-Ed: People Are the Powerbase of the Shipping Business
- mundo maritimoWISTA International: capital humano será clave para enfrentar transformación de la industria marítima
The WISTA International AGM & Conference 2026 will be held in Kuala Lumpur from October 28 to 30, jointly organized by WISTA Malaysia, WISTA Singapore and WISTA Hong Kong SAR China. The event, under the theme "Connecting Borders, Driving Change: Asia Shaping the Future of Maritime and Trade," seeks to leverage the region's position as a connector, catalyst and innovation hub to address challenges in sustainability, technology and inclusive leadership.
Asia, the engine of the global industry
According to data from Clarkson Research and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) cited by WISTA International president Elpi Petraki, China, the Republic of Korea and Japan accounted for 91% of vessels built worldwide in 2025. Singapore retained its position as the world's leading maritime hub for the thirteenth consecutive year according to the Xinhua-Baltic ISCDI 2026 index, while the Philippines remains the largest supplier of seafarers certified under the STCW Convention, with around 460,147 active Filipino seafarers according to the BIMCO-ICS 2026 report.
Conference agenda
The program includes a conversation with Thomas Kazakos, Secretary General of the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS), and panels on leadership in Asia, the connection between ships, ports and global trade, and building a resilient maritime economy through international partnerships. The program will also address building an inclusive maritime workforce, with the participation of Mariana Noceti, of the International Maritime Organization, and Helio Vicente, of ICS, along with a first-ever session dedicated to "Women at Sea" and a presentation by Michelle de la Harpe, founder of Meraki Daat, on ocean conservation and coastal communities in Sabah.
The human factor in the sector's transformation
For Petraki, who is concluding her term as president of WISTA International, the transformation of the maritime industry depends not only on technology but also on investment in people. The leader highlighted regional programs such as the Maritime Singapore Master Plan, India's Saga Mein Samman initiative, and the IMO and South Korea's SMART-C project, aimed at expanding female participation in technical and leadership roles. She also noted that, as of January 1, 2026, the STCW Code incorporates mandatory training to prevent and respond to violence and harassment among seafarers, which she considered a step forward toward safer professional standards.
Voices of the hosts
In a joint statement, Isabel Tse, president of WISTA Hong Kong SAR China, Reshma Yusuf, president of WISTA Malaysia, and Yukie Teo, president of WISTA Singapore, expressed their satisfaction at hosting the event and highlighted that the program aims to showcase the strength, diversity and dynamism of the regional maritime community, as well as to foster new connections among professionals from around the world.
