Mintra supports WISTA Mediterranean digital forum

Mintra is proud to sponsor the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA) digital forum, WISTA MED 2021. The online event will bring together WISTA national members from Mediterranean countries to discuss issues of critical importance to the region’s maritime industry.

MED SEA moves forward: insights and perspectives is the theme for the forum, which is held every two years. The agenda is focused on two main topics – plans to transform the Mediterranean Sea into an Emission Control Area (ECA) and how to boost the cruise industry which is essential to the economic growth of local ports.

WISTA is an international organisation for female professionals working in shipping, associated trade and logistics. Although it is an international association, each country has its own national group and Emmanolia Kolias, Mintra sales director Marketplace, is a member of the Cyprus branch.

She will be attending the virtual forum on June 9 and welcomes the opportunity to discuss the current challenges facing the sector with her industry peers. Emmanolia said: “The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic means that WISTA MED will move to a virtual format, but this remains an excellent opportunity to discuss subjects of common interest and forge links with other members.

“The organisers have identified two main topics for the agenda, and these are important issues on which WISTA members need to remain informed. I am looking forward to learning more about the main challenges that arise from transforming the Med into an ECA within the European Green Deal, and how we can support the cruise industry – a sector so important to many ports across the Mediterranean considered global tourism destinations – as it emerges from the pandemic.

“I am delighted that Mintra is further strengthening its links to the maritime industry and showing its support for the sector by sponsoring WISTA MED 2021.”

Two other members of the Mintra team are part of the WISTA network. Jorunn Eldøy, team lead maritime, is on the board of the Netherlands branch, while Marketplace manager Torbjørg Undem is a member of the Norwegian group.