Women's International Shipping and Trading Association

What Women's International Shipping and Trading Association does

WISTA International is a global membership-based professional association founded in 1974 and registered in England and Wales (company number 05396872), headquartered in Maidstone, United Kingdom. The organization supports women executives and decision-makers in the maritime, trading, and logistics sectors through a federation of 60+ National WISTA Associations (NWAs) serving 6,000+ members across more than 50 countries. Its mission centers on advancing diversity, inclusion, and professional development in maritime industries, supported by formal influence at the International Maritime Organization (consultative status since 2018, MoU since 2020) and observer status at UNCTAD (since 2023).

WISTA's product surface spans membership and networking delivered through the NWA channel network; structured training including the IMO & WISTA Leadership Accelerator Program, the IMO-WMU Women's Leadership and Empowerment course, and the ICS Scholarship (five annual Foundation Diploma scholarships); research products led by the biennial IMO-WISTA Women in Maritime Survey (2021, 2024) and supporting publications (The Diversity Handbook, WMU Gender Mainstreaming Handbook, Inclusion Pledge); the jointly-developed Maritime Speakers Bureau platform; an e-learning layer provided through a 2024 partnership with Ocean Technologies Group; and an annual awards and conference program (Personality of the Year, Corporate Diversity Award, AGM and regional conferences). Underlying technology is conventional digital membership infrastructure rather than proprietary AI/ML systems.

Revenue is generated through individual membership fees (collected and largely retained at the NWA level with international dues remitted), event registration and sponsorship (AGM, regional conferences), and partner-supported training programs. The go-to-market is community-led: prospective members are acquired via local NWAs, and the international body provides strategic oversight, partnership facilitation, and policy advocacy. The organization has no parent company, no disclosed funding rounds, and no equity investors; it operates as a member-governed non-profit association under an elected Executive Committee.

Name

Women's International Shipping and Trading Association

Legal name

The Women's International Shipping & Trading Association, Ltd.

Website

https://wistainternational.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WISTA International is a global membership association supporting female executives in maritime, trading, and logistics across 60+ National WISTA Associations and 6,000+ members, delivering networking, leadership training, research, and policy advocacy since 1974.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Maidstone

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: WISTA International generates revenue through membership fees collected via its network of National WISTA Associations. Each NWA has different requirements and qualifications for membership with varying fees.
2. Event Registration and Sponsorship: Revenue generated from conference registrations, sponsorship deals, and partnership agreements for events such as the Annual AGM & Conference, regional conferences, and training programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

WISTA International is a global membership-based professional association that connects and supports female executives and decision-makers in the maritime, trading, and logistics sectors through a federated network of 62 National WISTA Associations serving more than 6,000 members. The organization delivers professional development through leadership training programs (IMO & WISTA Leadership Accelerator, IMO-WMU WLE Course, ICS Scholarship), produces industry research (IMO-WISTA Women in Maritime Survey), maintains the Maritime Speakers Bureau, runs awards and global conferences, and advocates for diversity and inclusion at the IMO and UNCTAD.

Product overview

WISTA International is a global networking and advocacy organization (not a traditional product company) that offers a membership-based platform connecting female executives in maritime, trading, and logistics sectors. The core offering includes membership with access to over 60 National WISTA Associations worldwide. The organization provides professional development through the IMO & WISTA Leadership Accelerator Program, ICS Scholarship, and OTG Online Learning Platform partnership. Research products include the IMO-WISTA Women in Maritime Survey (2021, 2024). Resources encompass The Diversity Handbook, Inclusion Pledge, and WMU Gender Mainstreaming Handbook. Additional offerings include the Maritime Speakers Bureau (IMO partnership), awards programs, and events/conferences. These products collectively support WISTA's mission of promoting gender equality and diversity in the maritime industry.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WISTA International Membership Federated membership program providing female maritime professionals with access to a global network of 60+ National WISTA Associations and 6,000+ members, plus professional development opportunities, leadership programs, and industry advocacy.
• IMO & WISTA Leadership Accelerator Program Leadership development program delivering management knowledge and skills to help women in maritime move into leadership roles, developed with the International Maritime Organization and Maritime SheEO.
• ICS Scholarship Annual scholarship program with the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers providing five scholarships per year for WISTA members to pursue the Foundation Diploma in shipbroking.
• IMO–WMU Women's Leadership and Empowerment (WLE) Training Course Training course developed with the World Maritime University delivering women's leadership and empowerment curriculum for maritime professionals.
• IMO-WISTA Women in Maritime Survey Biennial research product jointly published with the IMO providing data on the number of women and their positions across the maritime and oceans workforce, establishing the industry's authoritative gender diversity benchmark.
• Maritime Speakers Bureau Speaker directory platform developed with the IMO that lets women in maritime register as speakers and connect with event organizers, promoting diverse panels at industry conferences and including pledges for speakers, organizers, and sponsors.
• OTG Online Learning Platform Exclusive e-learning platform access for WISTA members delivered through a partnership with Ocean Technologies Group, offering comprehensive maritime online courses with progress tracking for career advancement.
• Awards & Recognition Program Annual awards program (including Personality of the Year and Corporate Diversity Award) celebrating individuals and organizations demonstrating exceptional leadership and commitment to diversity in the maritime sector.
• WISTA International Events & Conferences Global events including the Annual General Meeting & Conference, regional conferences, and networking events connecting maritime professionals across Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.
• National WISTA Associations Network Federated network of more than 60 National WISTA Associations providing in-country and regional networking, business and skill-building opportunities, and corporate visibility for members.

Quantifiable outcome

• Women represent 34% of board members in surveyed maritime organizations
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and secondary.

• Ocean Technologies Group (OTG)majorTechnology or Integration · 1 May 2024Partnership agreement signed in May 2024 providing WISTA members exclusive access to OTG's comprehensive suite of e-learning resources for maritime career advancement. OTG is a leading provider of Human Capital Management solutions for the maritime sector.
• UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023WISTA International received observer status at UNCTAD in 2023, enabling participation in Trade and Development Board sessions and collaboration on gender equality initiatives in trade and development.
• Maritime SheEOcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2022MoU signed in October 2022 formalizing partnership for the Maritime SheEO Leadership Accelerator Programme. WISTA International and Maritime SheEO collaborated on multiple leadership programs and conferences, including events in Mumbai, India.
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020IMO and WISTA International signed a Memorandum of Understanding in 2020 to promote greater diversity and inclusion through enhanced cooperation. WISTA was granted consultative status at the IMO in 2018. The partnership includes joint initiatives such as the Women in Maritime Survey, Maritime Speakers Bureau, and the IMO-WISTA Leadership Accelerator Program.
• World Maritime University (WMU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership on the IMO–WMU Women's Leadership and Empowerment (WLE) Training Course and collaboration on the Handbook on Gender Mainstreaming in the Maritime Sector.
• UN Global CompactmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration through the Maritime Just Transition Task Force supporting sustainable industry growth and gender equality in line with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership including joint events, scholarship programs, and collaboration on diversity initiatives. MoU signed in 2017 for five annual scholarships for WISTA members for the ICS Foundation Diploma.
• BIMCOmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic collaboration on industry initiatives including conferences and workforce development discussions on seafarer rights and sustainability.
• Women in Transport (Europe)secondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerEuropean partnership for collaboration on transport and logistics diversity initiatives.
• Institute of Chartered ShipbrokersmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership providing annual scholarships for WISTA members to pursue professional qualifications in shipbroking.
• Lloyd's Register FoundationmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on Women in Maritime Day events and research initiatives celebrating women's progress in maritime.
• Norton Rose FulbrightsecondaryGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint workshop on Self-Promotion and Building Self-Confidence organized through Norton Rose Fulbright's Women in Maritime Network.
• National WISTA Associations (NWAs)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor62 National WISTA Associations worldwide serve as the primary distribution channel for membership, providing in-country networking, training, and professional development opportunities.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• BIMCO: The world's largest international shipowner association, providing membership, policy advocacy, contracts, and training to the global maritime industry. Directly comparable to WISTA as a global maritime membership association, though not focused on gender diversity.
• International Women's Forum: Global membership organization of accomplished women leaders across industries and geographies. Operates with chapters in multiple countries, providing peer mentoring and networking for senior women — directly comparable to WISTA's cross-border women-leadership model, though industry-agnostic.
• International Chamber of Shipping: Principal international trade association for the shipping industry, representing ~80% of the world merchant tonnage. WISTA has a long-standing MoU and joint scholarship program with ICS, and both serve as convening membership bodies for maritime professionals.
• Maritime SheEO: Organization focused on women in maritime leadership with co-developed programs like the Maritime SheEO Leadership Accelerator. WISTA International has a formal MoU with Maritime SheEO since 2022 and they jointly deliver leadership training to the same target audience.
• The Propeller Club: International maritime business networking organization with local port chapters. Operates as a federated network connecting maritime professionals — a structural analog to WISTA's NWA model — with WISTA Monaco recently attending the Propeller Club Monaco 50th anniversary.

Emerging players

• Women in Transport (Europe): European network promoting gender diversity across the transport sector (including maritime and logistics). WISTA is a listed partner, and the two organizations share overlapping membership demographics in European transport and logistics.
• Chief: Private membership network of senior women executives. Comparable to WISTA in targeting senior women professionals for peer networking, mentorship, and leadership development, though industry-agnostic and positioned for C-suite executives.
• Ellevate Network: Global professional women's network offering mentorship, events, and training. Functionally analogous to WISTA's networking and professional-development value proposition, though serving women across all industries rather than maritime specifically.
• Women in Aviation International: International nonprofit dedicated to encouraging women in all aviation career fields. Highly comparable to WISTA in mission (advancing women in transportation) and membership/awards-driven model, though focused on aviation rather than maritime.

Regional players

• Norwegian Shipowners' Association (rederiforbundet): Norwegian maritime employers' association representing shipowners and offshore operators. Comparable as a national maritime membership association with policy and workforce-development functions, but regionally focused on Norway — a key WISTA geography (WISTA Norway is an NWA).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WISTAInt
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@wistainternational7045
• Facebookfacebook.com/wistainternational
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/women-s-international-shipping-trading-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/wistainternational

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Women's International Shipping and Trading Association