Céline Mortier has been elected as the new President of WISTA International at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Conference 2026 held from October 28 to 30 in Kuala Lumpur. Mortier, the former President of WISTA Belgium and CEO of the maritime service provider Bogerd Martin, was officially appointed to this position at the meeting. She succeeds Elpi Petraki, who has served two terms as the President of this global association and concluded her four-year presence at this event.
Focus on International Collaborations
In her speech, Mortier stated that she is pleased to serve as the President of this organization at a time when the global WISTA network is growing, and she is committed to advancing WISTA's mission and impact. This meeting was hosted by WISTA Hong Kong, WISTA Malaysia, and WISTA Singapore, bringing together over 250 professionals from the maritime, logistics, and trade sectors.
She further added, "Our strength lies in the knowledge, experience, and connections within our global network. By bringing these together and strengthening collaborations across borders, we can turn this collective expertise into meaningful actions." Mortier also emphasized the importance of attracting a new generation of talent and showcasing the opportunities available in the industry.
Announcement of Four New National Associations
During the AGM, four new national associations were introduced, including the Bahamas, Egypt, Montenegro, and the Philippines, bringing the total number of WISTA national associations to 64. The number of WISTA members globally has also surpassed 6,500. At this meeting, Marianna Stoeber, Dirvini Chanmugam, and Amshia Gangan were appointed to the Executive Committee of WISTA International.
At this meeting, the prestigious WISTA International Corporate Diversity Award was presented to Mercantile Marine Management. Additionally, a video message from Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of IMO, emphasized the importance of advancing women's participation and gender equality in the maritime sectors.
Elpi Petraki, the former President of WISTA International, in her speech, referred to the increasing impact of Asia on global trade and the changes occurring in the industry, stressing the value of international collaborations and developing future maritime leaders.
She said, "The challenges facing the maritime industry are not limited to national borders, and our thinking should not be either. Our impact goes beyond the number of members and lies in the connections we make, the support we provide, and the opportunities we create."
Isabel Tse, President of WISTA Hong Kong, and Rashm Yusof, President of WISTA Malaysia, emphasized the importance of regional partnerships. Malaysia's Minister of Transport, Anthony Loke, also highlighted the importance of strengthening regional collaborations and developing an integrated maritime and logistics ecosystem in his speech.
The theme of international collaborations at this conference was clearly evident through insightful discussions about Asia's position as a hub of innovation and its role in fostering dialogues around sustainability, technology, and inclusive leadership.
The WISTA International AGM and Conference 2026 was held with the support of regional government organizations, 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 take place from October 27 to 29, 2027, in Brazil.
