WISTA France

What WISTA France does

WISTA France is a non-profit professional association founded in 2004 as the French national chapter of WISTA International (Women's International Shipping & Trading Association). Governed by the French law of July 1, 1901, it operates as a membership network of approximately 170 women in leadership and senior positions across the French maritime sector, spanning shipping, ports, logistics, naval industry, marine renewable energy, maritime law, finance, insurance, training, and public administration. The association is headquartered at 47 rue de Monceau, 75008 Paris — co-located with the Cluster Maritime Français — and operates five regional antennas in Brest, Marseille, Le Havre, and Nantes Saint-Nazaire alongside the Paris headquarters.

The association's core offerings are membership services, networking events, the annual Trophées de la Mixité du Maritime et du Portuaire awards program (launched in 2024, 2nd edition February 2026 at Euromaritime in Marseille), and the Les Étoiles des Mers podcast series. Its primary revenue stream is recurring annual membership dues of €120 per member, which conveys both WISTA France and WISTA International membership. The organization is volunteer-led through an elected Bureau headed by President Marie-Noëlle Tiné-Dyèyre, with a small staff of approximately 13. It does not develop proprietary technology.

In 2026, the French Minister of Sea Catherine Chabaud entrusted WISTA France with coordinating the national White Paper for accelerating the feminization of maritime professions by 2030, to be presented at the Assises de l'Economie de la Mer in November 2026. The association maintains strategic partnerships with Armateurs de France, GICAN, SOGENA, Union des Ports de France, France Renouvelables, DGAMPA, DGITM, Le Marin, ENSM, UMEP, UMF, and several maritime law firms, which collectively support its awards program, events, and advocacy work.

Name

WISTA France

Legal name

WISTA France

Website

https://wista.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WISTA France is a non-profit association founded in 2004, serving approximately 170 women leaders across the French maritime sector through membership networking, regional antennas, the Trophées de la Mixité awards, and advocacy for gender equality.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership dues: Annual membership fee of €120 per member, covering participation in both WISTA France and WISTA International.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

WISTA France is a non-profit professional association that provides paid individual membership, regional networking events, and advocacy for women in leadership roles across the French maritime sector. It also operates the annual "Trophées de la Mixité" awards program and produces the "Les Étoiles des Mers" podcast featuring women maritime leaders. Its statutory mission is to promote gender equality and women's representation in shipping, ports, logistics, naval industry, maritime law, and marine renewable energy.

Product overview

WISTA France is a professional association (not a technology product company) that offers membership networking services, organizes events, and runs awareness initiatives. The main offerings include: Les Étoiles des Mers podcast series featuring women in maritime; the annual Trophées de la Mixité awards program recognizing companies for gender equality initiatives; and a professional membership network connecting women leaders across the maritime sector including transport, ports, logistics, naval industry, renewable energies, and maritime training institutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• WISTA France Professional Membership Paid individual membership of WISTA France open to women in positions of responsibility across the French maritime sector, including shipping, ports, logistics, maritime law, finance, insurance, naval industry, national navy, marine renewable energy, and training centres. Members benefit from a professional network of approximately 170 peers, regional antenna events, the Trophées de la Mixité, and inclusion in WISTA International (3,000+ members across 46 countries) at no additional cost. Annual fee €120.
• Trophées de la Mixité du Maritime et du Portuaire Annual awards program created by WISTA France to recognise companies demonstrating concrete actions to advance gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in the French maritime and port sectors. Categories include Transport and Maritime Services, Commercial Ports and Logistics, Naval Industry, and Marine Renewable Energies. Winners in 2026 included CMA CGM, HAROPA PORT, Naval Group, SINAY and BW Ideol; 2024 winners included DFDS, Port Atlantique La Rochelle, Naval Group, Iberdrola and SINAY.
• Les Étoiles des Mers (Podcast Series) Podcast series created in partnership with WISTA France for its 20th anniversary, featuring portraits of women leaders in the maritime sector. Written, produced, and edited by Nathalie Bureau du Colombier and distributed on Acast.

Quantifiable outcome

• Feminization rate of the French maritime sector reached 28%, with WISTA France's target of 30% by 2030
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• UMF (Union Maritime et Fluviale Marseille-Fos)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026WISTA France co-organized a roundtable on AI in the maritime sector with UMF, combining expertise from women in the sector to address digital transition and gender inclusion together.
• Armateurs de FrancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2026Armateurs de France is the professional organization representing French shipping companies (26,000 direct jobs). Partner of the Trophées de la Mixité du Maritime et du Portuaire, advocating for gender equality in the maritime sector.
• GICANcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2026The GICAN is the professional union representing the French naval industry, federating over 300 members representing over 80% of the sector's €15.5 billion turnover. Co-organizer of the Trophées de la Mixité awards.
• SOGENAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2026SOGENA is the leading organizer of major maritime events including EURONAVAL and EUROMARITIME. Partner of the Trophées de la Mixité and supporter of WISTA France's mission to promote women in maritime.
• Union des Ports de France (UPF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2026UPF represents 48 French port operators across mainland France and overseas territories. Partner of the Trophées de la Mixité and shares WISTA France's goal of promoting gender equality in port operations.
• France RenouvelablescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2026France Renouvelables is the voice of renewable electricity in France with 360+ members across the entire value chain. Partner of the Trophées de la Mixité, promoting mixity and diversity in the marine renewable energy sector.
• DGAMPA (Direction Générale des Affaires Maritimes, de la Pêche et de l'Aquaculture)coreOthers · 4 February 2026DGAMPA is the first European maritime administration, headed by Eric Banel. Public supporter of the Trophées de la Mixité, representing the Ministry of Sea and Fisheries.
• DGITM (Direction Générale des Transports, des Infrastructures et des Mobilités)coreOthers · 4 February 2026DGITM prepares and implements national transport policy, including ports. Public supporter of the Trophées de la Mixité, reinforcing government commitment to gender equality in the maritime and port sectors.
• Le MarinminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 February 2026Le Marin is a specialist maritime media outlet (since 1946) covering all maritime sectors nationally and internationally. Official media partner of the Trophées de la Mixité, covering WISTA France's activities and promoting gender equality in the maritime sector.
• UMEP Fédération (Union Maritime et Portuaire du Havre)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Official partnership convention signed at LH Port Days in Le Havre to increase women's visibility, inspire young generations, and encourage companies to feminize their decision-making bodies. Includes joint portraits, expert participation in events, and outreach to youth.
• Cluster Maritime Français (CMF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe CMF is the French maritime cluster, home to WISTA France's headquarters. WISTA France cooperates closely with CMF on joint studies, the professional equality working group, and the Observatory 'Cap sur l'Égalité!' since 2013.
• ENSM (École Nationale Supérieure Maritime)coreOthersENSM is France's national maritime school with campuses in Le Havre, Saint-Nazaire, and Marseille. Muriel Mironneau, Director of Communication at ENSM, serves as WISTA France's Deputy Secretary General. ENSM hosts WISTA France events and visits.
• WISTA InternationalcoreOthersWISTA International is the global network of women in maritime leadership, with over 3,000 members across 46 national associations. WISTA France is its French national member; WISTA International granted WISTA France observer status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
• Elles bougentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation connecting young women with women engineers and managers in industry. Co-organizer of the 'Les Elles de l'Océan' national day with CMF and CNRS, with WISTA France as an active supporter.
• Lewis & CominorOthersParis-based maritime law firm (4 partners) providing legal expertise and supporting WISTA France events. Leïla Esnard, partner at Lewis & Co, serves as WISTA France Treasurer.
• Reed SmithminorOthersInternational law firm (31 offices globally) with a strategic focus on transport and shipping. Supports WISTA France's 20th anniversary and diversity initiatives. Co-directed in France by Ana Atallah and Andrew Tetley.
• Aquarium de ParisminorOthersHosted WISTA France's 20th anniversary celebration on September 26, providing an exclusive venue for the awards ceremony. Capacity: 60 to 1,000 people.
• MerConceptminorOthersMerConcept hosted a WISTA France member immersion visit in Concarneau as part of the association's industrial visits program, showcasing excellence in the Breton maritime industry.
• PiriouminorOthersPiriou hosted a WISTA France member immersion visit in Concarneau alongside MerConcept, demonstrating innovation in shipbuilding and maritime operations.
• SHOM (Service Hydrographique et Océanographique de la Marine)minorOthersFrance's national hydrographic and oceanographic service. Several WISTA France members work at SHOM, and WISTA France organized a webinar celebrating SHOM's 300th anniversary.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• WISTA Singapore: Singapore WISTA chapter, one of the most active national associations globally with awards nights, mentoring, and corporate partnerships. Comparable to WISTA France in scope and ambition but located in Asia's largest maritime hub.
• WISTA UK: National WISTA chapter serving the UK maritime sector with events, awards, and mentorship for women. Operates an identical model (membership dues, networking, advocacy) and is the most directly comparable peer organization for benchmarking growth and programming.
• WISTA Germany: German WISTA national chapter running parallel events, mentoring, and awards for women in German shipping and ports. Comparable in structure, scale, and policy-driven operating model to WISTA France.
• WISTA USA (WISTA - Americas): U.S. branch of the WISTA network serving women across the American maritime industry. Same network franchise and programmatic approach (events, awards, advocacy) applied in a different regulatory and cultural context.
• WISTA Netherlands: Dutch WISTA chapter and one of the largest national associations in the WISTA network. Highly comparable operating model and European maritime-port focus that makes it a natural peer for WISTA France's regional antennas and awards programme.
• WISTA International: Parent federation of which WISTA France is the French national chapter, with 3,000+ members across 46 countries and observer status at the IMO. Directly comparable model: membership-based professional association advancing women in maritime leadership globally.

Others

• Armateurs de France: French shipowners' association representing 26,000 direct maritime jobs and a core partner of WISTA France's Trophées programme. Not a peer in mission but a closely adjacent industry trade body that shares the same corporate constituency and is co-organizing WISTA's main awards programme.

Broad incumbents

• Cluster Maritime Français (CMF): French maritime cluster headquartered in the same building as WISTA France. While its remit covers the whole industry rather than female leadership specifically, it directly co-operates with WISTA on the 'Cap sur l'Égalité!' Observatory and is a key strategic partner and indirect peer.
• Women in Maritime (IMO): IMO-hosted global programme supporting gender equality in maritime. Less commercially focused and more regulator-aligned than WISTA France, but pursuing the same broad mission of female representation in shipping, ports, and naval industries.

Emerging players

• Maritime She: UK-based initiative championing women in the maritime industry through events, networking, and content. Comparable in mission and emerging brand; less institutionalized than WISTA France but increasingly competitive in awards and content.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wista-france

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about WISTA France