The excitement grows around the WISTA International General Assembly and Conference 2025, which will be held in Barcelona from October 22 to 24, with all tickets sold out and a record attendance of more than 400 maritime and logistics professionals from more than 60 countries. The meeting’s theme, Driving the Future of Shipping and Trade: Global Energy in Complex Times, will mark three days of analysis on the energy, technological, and sustainability challenges of the sector.
Organized by WISTA Spain, the event will take place at the World Trade Center in Barcelona and will feature the participation of global leaders, port authorities, and representatives of international organizations. Among them, Arsenio Domínguez, secretary general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), stands out; he will hold a dialogue with Dorothea Ioannou, CEO of the American P&I Club, in one of the most anticipated sessions of the program.
“The success of the call for this conference demonstrates the growing commitment of the maritime community to sustainability and inclusive leadership,” said Elpi Petraki, president of WISTA International. “Barcelona will be the epicenter of a key debate on the future of transport and global trade,” she added.
The program highlights the conversation with Arsenio Domínguez, secretary general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), together with Dorothea Ioannou, CEO of the American P&I Club.
The conference will officially begin on Wednesday, October 22 with the WISTA International General Assembly, followed by a welcome cocktail at the historic Saló de Cent of the Barcelona City Council.
Thursday the 23rd will concentrate the main plenary sessions, with a multidisciplinary focus on the challenges of maritime transport and international trade:
Friday, October 24 will be dedicated to five thematic workshops and visits, which will allow delegates to explore first-hand the port and maritime innovation of Barcelona:
The day will conclude with optional cultural routes to the main attractions of Barcelona—from the modernism of Gaudí to Montserrat or the Cava Codorníu wineries—combining learning and networking in a unique environment.
“Hosting the WISTA conference is an honor for Spain and an opportunity to demonstrate the strength of female talent in an industry key to the global economy,” said Rosana Velasco, president of WISTA Spain.
Founded in 1974, the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA International) today connects more than 6,000 professionals in 62 countries, driving diversity, innovation, and sustainability in the maritime and logistics sector. Its Spanish subsidiary, WISTA Spain, created in 2007, has established itself as one of the most active on the continent.
The 2025 edition promises to be the most influential in its history, with Barcelona as the global epicenter of maritime transport, international trade, and inclusive leadership.
