“The complexity of today’s maritime environment requires broader diversity of thought and more adaptive decision-making. Decarbonisation, digitalisation and geopolitical disruption are all increasing the need for resilience. In this context, inclusion strengthens transformation. Diverse perspectives enable better responses to uncertainty and technological change, enhancing resilience, creativity and execution under pressure,” suggests Anna Pittalis, President of WISTA Cyprus.
May 18 is celebrated as the International Day for Women in Maritime, established by the IMO to recognise women’s contributions to the industry and promote gender equality In a recent interview with GOLD magazine, Pittalis outlines how the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association is pushing the maritime industry towards a more inclusive – and ultimately more resilient – future.
During your tenure as President of WISTA Cyprus, what have been your main strategic priorities and what challenges have you encountered?
Our main strategic priorities have centred on three pillars: visibility, influence and impact. Within that framework, our focus has been on strengthening leadership development, increasing awareness of women’s contribution to the maritime sector and encouraging more women to step into leadership roles. A key priority has been to enhance the visibility of female talent and promote awareness around career development opportunities in shipping. The main challenges have been shifting inclusion from a recurring discussion topic into measurable action within a traditionally conservative industry and maintaining consistent engagement across a fast-moving professional community. Ensuring momentum beyond individual events remains an ongoing effort.
Shipping remains one of the most traditionally male-dominated sectors globally, despite years of discussion around gender balance. What is the one structural barrier that, in your view, continues to hold the industry back and why has it proven so difficult to dismantle?
Although progress is visible, particularly in shore-based roles, the real challenge remains progression into positions of influence. At sea, representation is still very low, as highlighted in the latest IMO–WISTA Women in Maritime Survey. In my view, one of the most persistent barriers lies outside the workplace. It’s the unequal distribution of caregiving responsibilities. Without stronger societal and organisational support, sustained career progression becomes difficult, particularly in demanding sectors like shipping. This requires coordinated action between states, employers and industry stakeholders. Ultimately, this is not only about fairness; it is a missed opportunity. A more diverse workforce strengthens decision-making, innovation and resilience across the industry.
Cyprus is one of the world’s leading shipping hubs. In your view, what structural challenges still limit its evolution into a fully future-ready maritime centre? What role can organisations like WISTA play in addressing them?
Cyprus is, indeed, a leading maritime hub but its evolution into a fully future-ready centre depends on addressing a few structural gaps. Key among these are talent attraction and retention, stronger links between education and industry, and the faster adoption of digital and sustainability-driven transformation across the ecosystem. While Cyprus is strong in ship management and services, it must continue to broaden its talent pipeline and enhance its appeal to younger generations. WISTA Cyprus contributes by fostering dialogue on future skills and leadership, as well as supporting projects such as ATALANTA, a European-funded programme promoting access to maritime careers and greater diversity in the sector.
WISTA operates both as a global network and a collection of strong national chapters. How does WISTA Cyprus navigate the tension between global ambition and local industry realities? Are there areas where Cyprus is quietly leading by example?
WISTA Cyprus aligns closely with WISTA International’s vision, while tailoring its activities to the highly international and relationship-driven Cypriot shipping community. Our focus is on strengthening our network and empowering our members, while maintaining a practical and relevant approach, by creating space for dialogue, sharing experiences and addressing topics that are relevant to the local industry. Cyprus is making steady progress, particularly in the visibility of women in professional services and their increasing presence in commercial and leadership roles, supported by strong cross-sector collaboration.
The industry is simultaneously having to navigate decarbonisation, digitalisation and geopolitical disruption. In such a high-pressure environment, is inclusion at risk of becoming a secondary priority or can it be positioned as part of the solution?
Inclusion should not be viewed as a secondary priority. It should already be embedded in how the industry operates. It is not simply part of the solution; it is a pathway to more effective and sustainable outcomes.
The complexity of today’s maritime environment requires broader diversity of thought and more adaptive decision-making. Decarbonisation, digitalisation and geopolitical disruption are all increasing the need for resilience. In this context, inclusion strengthens transformation. Diverse perspectives enable better responses to uncertainty and technological change, enhancing resilience, creativity and execution under pressure.
The launch of the Diversity and Inclusion Honours in Maritime 2026 in Brussels, under the Cyprus EU Presidency, marks a significant moment. How do you see this initiative contributing to Cyprus’ influence in shaping European maritime policy and positioning the country as a thought leader beyond its traditional shipping strengths?
The Diversity & Inclusion Honours in Maritime 2026 build on a successful first edition launched by WISTA Belgium in 2024 under the Belgian EU Presidency, reflecting the growing relevance of this European-level initiative. Their significance is reinforced by the endorsement of key stakeholders, including WISTA International, the European Commission’s Women in Transport – EU Platform, ECSA, ICS, ETF, ITF and InterManager, alongside the Cyprus EU Presidency. This level of collective support shows that diversity and inclusion are increasingly embedded within broader maritime priorities, rather than being treated as standalone topics. For Cyprus, taking this edition forward is both an honour and a responsibility. It strengthens its position beyond traditional shipping strengths by contributing to industry dialogue and promoting best practices. More importantly, it helps establish the Honours as a continuous European-level initiative, highlighting measurable progress across sea and shore and reinforcing Cyprus’ role in shaping a more inclusive maritime future.
This interview first appeared in the May edition of GOLD magazine. Click here to view it.
