WISTA Panama celebrated 15 years of constant work in promoting female leadership in the maritime industry with a discussion with Arsenio Domínguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), who was also honored by the organization for being the first Panamanian to hold this position and for his contribution to the development of the maritime sector. His participation in the meeting, held on August 27 at the Club Unión in Panama City—and attended by MundoMaritimo—allowed for the discussion of key issues within the framework of the organization's 2050 agenda.

The conversation, which was moderated by Elvia Bustavino, president of WISTA Panama, focused on four main areas: the transition to zero-emission maritime transport, the safety of seafarers, the digitization of logistics processes, and the inclusion of women in the industry, issues that set the tone for the global maritime agenda.

Decarbonization: the great challenge of the century

Domínguez recalled that in 2023, the IMO adopted an ambitious strategy that sets the goal of achieving net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. This implies profound changes in ship design, port infrastructure, and combustion systems for the maritime fleet, which currently accounts for 90% of global trade. In this regard, he stressed that “the IMO's green agenda has been one of the most proactive and visible in recent years” and pointed out that the new measures in this area will come into force in 2027.

He also noted that various regulations have already been implemented, such as mandatory energy efficiency indices for ships (EEXI and CII), but insisted that success will depend on a combination of technical, regulatory, and economic measures. The transition to alternative fuels—such as green ammonia, methanol, hydrogen, or advanced biofuels—requires millions in investment and global coordination. “The challenge is to achieve a fair and equitable transition that does not leave developing countries and small island states behind,” he stressed.

Seafarers: safety at risk

According to Domínguez, the recent crisis in the Red Sea, with attacks on merchant ships, highlighted the vulnerability of crew members to geopolitical conflicts beyond their control. "I have always called for respect and recognition of the role of seafarers. The IMO is in talks with the UN and other agencies to find solutions that will safeguard lives," he emphasized, stressing the need for coordinated multilateral responses to protect seafarers.

The humanitarian issue was highlighted as an unavoidable priority: “Without seafarers, there is simply no maritime transport,” he said.

Digitalization: Challenges and opportunities

The entry into force in 2024 of the Maritime Single Window was another of the topics highlighted. This digital tool, which seeks to standardize and simplify port and maritime procedures, represents a structural change for developing countries, many of which do not yet have the technological infrastructure or the appropriate regulatory framework to implement it.

Domínguez stated that “the Maritime Single Window is mandatory from 2024 and represents a structural change. The IMO is offering technical assistance so that no member state is left behind in this process.” He also explained that the organization is developing regional cooperation programs to support them in this process.

He pointed out that digitization, in addition to being a requirement for efficiency, is an indispensable factor for improving transparency and reducing logistics costs, especially in countries that are highly dependent on maritime trade, such as Panama.

The role of women in the sector and 15 years of WISTA Panama

According to data from the IMO and WISTA, women's participation in the private maritime sector fell from 29% in 2021 to 16% in 2023, representing a worrying decline. On this point, Domínguez stressed the urgency of reversing the low participation of women: “We need actions beyond speeches to empower women and attract new generations,” she said.

She also reinforced her institutional commitment to internal IMO measures by stating that “under my administration, the IMO will not participate in panels without female representation. Equity must be a tangible commitment for the entire industry.”

In this context, the celebration of WISTA's 15th anniversary in Panama took on special significance. The organization, with chapters in more than 50 countries, has established itself as a global network that promotes female leadership, encourages mentoring, and fosters access for new generations of women to decision-making positions in the maritime and logistics industry.

Elvia Bustavino highlighted the important role of WISTA Panama in promoting diversity and equity in the maritime industry, urging everyone not to let their guard down and to strengthen alliances to continue transforming the sector. She stressed that “it is vital that leaders in the sector set an example and act as mentors to increase the participation and empowerment of women in the maritime industry,” as well as the importance of attracting and supporting new generations. “Diversity and inclusion are not options, but a priority for transforming the industry toward a fair and innovative future,” she concluded.

During the commemoration, it was highlighted that the challenge is not only to attract more women to the sector, but also to ensure that they remain, grow, and reach leadership positions. The alliance between IMO and WISTA was identified as a key driver for generating tangible change, from the inclusion of equality policies in international organizations to the visibility of role models in the industry.

By Mundo Marítimo