By Merle Jimenez-San Pedro, FRIM

President, Women in Maritime Philippines (WIMAPHIL)

      Women in Maritime Asia (WIMA Asia)

The maritime industry is transforming, and women are at the forefront of this change. 

In Busan, Republic of Korea, from September 10-12, 2024, women from across Asia gathered for the 3rd Women in Maritime Asia (WIMA Asia) Regional Conference, themed "Tides of Change: Women Leading to a Sustainable and Innovative Maritime Future." The event celebrated women’s vital contribution to maritime innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation while addressing the ongoing challenges in gender equality within the sector. 

The conference organized by the Women in Maritime Association ASIA (WIMA Asia) and hosted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) with the Ministry of Ocean and Fisheries (MOF) of Republic of Korea was attended by leading maritime figures who emphasized the need for inclusivity and gender equality as the industry adapts to emerging global challenges. Delegates were welcomed by WIMA ASIA Governing Council and prominent leaders with Mr. Seong-yong Choi, Director-General of Korea's Maritime Affairs and Safety Policy Bureau who underscored the role of women in shaping the maritime industry's future especially with the new landscape of the industry changing with the call for digitalization and decarbonization. 

The Conference was part of the bigger celebration of the Korea Maritime Week from September 9-13, 2024 at Busan. 

Bridging the Gender Gap: Women as Game-Changers 

"Women are not just contributors to the maritime industry—they are game-changers, leading the way with so much passion, courage, and a commitment to sustainability. "We opened the Conference calling for continued efforts to close the gender gap, as reported in the World Economic Forum's 2024 Global Gender Gap Index. 

According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), gender parity status in the world shows that 2024 Global Gender Gap Index point to the absence of any country that has achieved full gender parity. Data show 97% of the economies have closed more than 60% of their gap, compared to 85% in 2006. Among the regions, Southeast Asia ranks 7th out of the 8 regions in the world after Europe, North America, Latin America and Caribbean, Eastern Asia and the Pacific in closing the gender parity gaps as of 2024. 

Keynote speaker Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), further reinforced the importance of leadership and innovation, urging women to document their achievements and focus on collaboration over competition as “they have space in shipping.” He highlighted digitalization and decarbonization as vital to the industry's progress, offering a roadmap for a more resilient maritime future. 

Spotlight on Sustainability and Digital Transformation 

Throughout the two-day event, plenary sessions and panel discussions headed by women with their expertise in various fields tackled pressing issues facing the maritime sector, including the need for greener practices and digital advancements. Notable sessions such as “Navigating the Future: Green and Digital Horizons” and “Empowering Women through Digital Transformation and Education” explored strategies for integrating sustainability with cutting-edge technology. 

Philippine MARINA Administrator Sonia Malaluan, WIMA Asia Governing Council fellow, made a presentation on “Charting a Clean Course Towards a Green and Digital Future” that focused on the initiatives of the maritime administration in Digitalization, decarbonization and marine environment protection projects. The projects include Passenger Service Rating System/ Cargo Service Rating System (e-Rating System), Maritime Route Transport Information System (MARIS) for domestic shipping, planning and route rationalization using the Navigational Traffic Information System (NAVIS) Software and Pilot & Demonstration of Localized Vessel Tracking System for Marine Protected Areas (MPA) and Prototype Solar Assisted Electric Boat (e-Boat) for Inland & Coastal Waterways. 

IMO speaker Brendan Marshall focused on the importance of forging partnerships where IMO supports developing countries in reducing greenhouse gas emission from shipping and emphasizing inclusivity and equitable participation of women in its programs. 

Other Panel discussions included New Technologies for a Sustainable Future, Empowering Women Through Digital Transformation and Education, Upskilling to Empower Women, Leadership and Innovation: Women Pioneers in Maritime. 

Women leader presenters came from technical officers with background in marine surveying and Harbor pilot Capt. Emanuel Mujah who shared Key insights on the importance of mentorship, peer support, and perseverance in overcoming barriers to leadership roles. She called for Maritime inclusive policies and practices to provide a safe space for women in the next generation. 

WIMA ASIA for SMART C Project 

The 3rd Regional Conference of the WIMA ASIA was attended by some 15 countries led by the Governing Council members from the Philippines, Malaysia, Republic of Korea, Timor Leste, Vietnam, Indonesia, Mongolia and Maldives. 

Speakers from different sectors shared insights on the SMART C Women Project, which aims to enhance maritime trade through digitalization. They emphasized the importance of data documentation and called for government support to effectively integrate digital systems across the shipping industry. These discussions highlighted the industry’s need for a holistic approach to transformation, where gender inclusivity and technological advancement go hand in hand.

The **Smart C Project** was highlighted as a transformative initiative aimed at integrating digital solutions into the workforce, with a specific focus on upskilling women and women empowerment (education, gender equality, advanced career technologies) funded by ROK. 

Building a Supportive Network for Women in Maritime 

A recurring theme throughout the conference was the power of collaboration among women in maritime. Experts urged participants to foster supportive networks to amplify their impact globally. By building strong alliances, women can collectively navigate the evolving maritime landscape and accelerate progress toward a more equitable and sustainable industry. 

The gathering in Busan was not only a platform for sharing knowledge but also a call to action for women to take on more prominent roles in decision-making. With female leaders demonstrating resilience and adaptability, the maritime sector is poised to benefit from their diverse perspectives and experiences. 

Further, the Conference participants pledged to support the development of Master Plan for Empowerment Women in Maritime with the WIMA Asia through Smart C-Women program. 

During the General Membership meeting, 2 new members were added to the Governing Council with Bangladesh and Cambodia joining the Philippines, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Mongolia and Maldives. 

Mariana Noceti of the IMO presented the Global Strategy for WIMA Associations to serve as guide for the PROGRAMME of works to be done by WIMA ASIA as one of the 8 regional networks established by the IMO. 

Reliving the Busan Declaration of 2013

Holding the 3rd WIMA ASIA Regional Conference in BUSAN in a POST COVID scenario is such a significant move the BUSAN DECLARATION made in April 2013 during the IMO Regional Conference on the Development of a Global Strategy for Women Seafarers was revisited. The BUSAN Declaration was a commitment document that agreed to work towards enhancing greater awareness of the role of women as a valuable resource to the maritime industry and to the promotion of safe, secure and efficient shipping and the protection of the environment. Further, it advocates for the adoption of policies and regulations which support access for women to maritime education and the merchant marine professions and participate in the development of a Global Strategy for Women Seafarers through sharing of information, experience and best practices, and contributing to relevant associations and networks. 

Learning from Global Best Practices: Benchmarking and Future Initiatives 

As a side activity after the Conference, a Visit at the Korean Maritime and Ocean University (KMOU) and the Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology (KIMFT) provided the participants the latest advancements in maritime education, such as AI-powered training ships, green ship simulators, and robotics, gaining insights that could shape future maritime practices. 

A Collective Commitment to a Sustainable Maritime Future 

As the conference concluded, delegates reaffirmed their commitment to advancing maritime innovation while ensuring inclusivity. The call for gender equality resonated throughout, with the women leaders in maritime urging the industry to seize this moment to build stronger alliances and empower one another. 

The WIMA Asia Regional Conference 2024 was a milestone event that underscored the vital role of women in guiding the maritime industry toward a sustainable and inclusive future. By addressing the challenges and opportunities within the sector, the conference set a course for transformative change, driven by the determination and vision of women leaders. As tides shift, the future of the maritime industry will be shaped by the bold collaboration of women leading the change. 

Looking back, the conference was a unique opportunity to ensure diversity and inclusivity— to build bridges, share experiences, and inspire one another to continue the journey towards a future where women’s leadership is not the exception but the norm in the era of digitalization with a compelling call for greener horizons in the maritime industry.