Now in its third consecutive year, Shipping Australia Limited (SAL) and WISTA Australia welcomed a sold-out room at the RACV Melbourne City Club on Wednesday, 20 May 2026, to mark the IMO International Day for Women in Maritime.
This year’s IMO theme was “From Policy to Practice: Advancing Gender Equality for Maritime Excellence”, focusing on embedding gender equality at every level of the maritime industry, both ashore and at sea.
The event opened with a welcome and an Acknowledgement of Country, followed by thanks to SAL, WISTA, and the generous sponsors who made the event possible, including HFW Law Firm as Platinum Sponsor, the MCC Group as Gold Sponsor, and CoastalBridge Agencies as Silver Sponsor.
This year’s panel brought together Dr Michelle Grech, Manager of Seafarer Certification Services at the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA); Fleur Walsh, Head of Operations for Australia and New Zealand at A.P. Moller-Maersk; and Ekaterina Khramova, General Manager Timor Leste at ANL and CMA CGM, and 2025 DCN joint winner of the Women in Shipping & Maritime Logistics Award.
Through the panel discussion and opening remarks, guests heard honest and practical reflections on what it means to be a woman in the maritime industry. One of the messages carried throughout the event was that change does not happen through policy alone. The industry needs to move from policy to practice by creating real opportunities, removing barriers, and making sure women are not only given a seat at the table, but are also heard at the table.
The discussion also highlighted the role of male allies and the value of small, practical actions that can make male-dominated rooms more inclusive. The panel reflected on imposter syndrome, confidence, discomfort and growth, highlighting that sometimes capability is already there, but confidence has to catch up. The discussion also noted that uncomfortable moments can become important moments of learning, and that women should not be afraid to take unusual, unconventional and courageous career paths.
The key takeaway from the panel was that moving from policy to practice means turning good intentions into everyday action. The panel closed with a simple but powerful message to back yourself, not wait for change, be part of it, stay curious, and remain open to new perspectives.
A thank you to our sponsors!
An event of this nature simply could not take place without the generous support of our sponsors. Shipping Australia would like to thank:
- Platinum sponsor HFW Law Firm
- Gold sponsor The MCC Group
- Silver sponsor CoastalBridge Agencies
