WISTA seeks more women’s involvement in shipping

The Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association (WISTA) Nigeria, on Thursday, said that it would build its members’ capacity to be able to take advantage of innovations and technologies in shipping.

Speaking on Thursday in Lagos, the President of WISTA Nigeria, Mrs Eunice Ezeoke, explained that the capacity building will take place on 29 September in Lagos, during the association’s annual business luncheon.

She said that the event would feature the association’s magazine launch.

Ezeoke said that the industry experts would deliberate on critical innovations to enhance maritime tourism and safety, among other pertinent shipping issues.

“WISTA is a women’s professional association that is in 58 countries, involving women in management positions in the maritime industry, and it came to Nigeria in 1994.

“It is about women promoting gender inclusivity in the industry, creating feasibility, capacity building, networking opportunities and career advancement in the profession.

“Annually, WISTA organises a business luncheon which is part of sensitisation in the industry and even outside the industry.

“Over the years, we organised lectures to teach our members,” she said.

She said that partnerships, research findings and how to make shipping and international trade better, safer and cheaper would be discussed at the event.

On women’s involvement in the industry, Ezeoke said that the industry needed more women as their level of participation was still low.

“We need more opportunities and leverage so that we see how far and good women can perform and manage businesses in the shipping sector,” she said.

Mrs Rita Egbuche, Chairperson of the business luncheon committee, said that discussions around innovation and digitisation would position the nation’s maritime sector for more profitability and seamless operations.

“Shipping is a big business, and we have to look at key areas that can sustain shipping.

“A lot of businesses thrive on shipping; so, we have to look at innovation and digitisation which talk about bringing new ideas for efficiency and sustainability.

“Innovation and digitisation will reduce losses, delays, and spur maritime businesses; hence, our focus on this topic.

“Some of the issues to be discussed at the conference are marine environmental issues, safety issues in the industry,” she said.

Egbuche added that there would be awards given to stakeholders that had impacted well on the industry.

NAN