Batumi has become the home of the newly launched Women in Maritime Association Europe (WIMA Europe), a regional organization created to promote greater representation, leadership, and career opportunities for women throughout Europe’s maritime industry.
The association was officially introduced on June 24 during an event attended by representatives from government institutions, maritime businesses, universities, and international organizations. Participants gathered to mark the organization’s formation while discussing both the progress achieved and the barriers that women continue to face within the maritime profession.
During the launch, WIMA Europe presented its objectives and long-term strategy, emphasizing the importance of building professional networks, encouraging leadership, expanding training opportunities, and advocating for greater inclusion across every branch of the maritime sector.
WIMA Europe is the first regional Women in Maritime Association established in Europe under the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) Women in Maritime Program. It is also the ninth regional association worldwide, joining similar networks in Africa, the Pacific, Asia, the Caribbean, the Arab States and Latin America.
The initiative was made possible through the support of the Government of Denmark and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Georgia. Their cooperation is a shared commitment to advancing gender equality, creating more opportunities for women, and helping build a stronger and more sustainable maritime industry.
According to the latest IMO-WISTA Women in Maritime Survey, women account for just under 19% of the maritime workforce
A panel discussion titled Women in Maritime: Roles, Challenges and Opportunities examined a range of topics, including workforce development, innovation, leadership, and equal access to careers at sea and ashore. Experts representing maritime authorities, universities, shipping companies, ports, and logistics organizations shared their perspectives on the sector’s evolving workforce and the diverse career paths it offers.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) took part in the launch, reinforcing its long-standing efforts to promote gender equality within the global maritime community. The IMO launched its Women in Maritime program in 1988 to encourage greater participation of women in the maritime sector through education, technical cooperation, networking and leadership development. Regional Women in Maritime Associations have since become an important part of that effort by connecting professionals and promoting career development across different parts of the world.
With the creation of WIMA Europe, the IMO’s international network of Women in Maritime Associations now includes nine regional organizations. These associations serve as platforms for mentoring, collaboration, skills development, and the exchange of expertise, while helping to raise the profile of women working across the maritime sector.
Although Europe is home to some of the world’s busiest ports and shipping routes, women remain underrepresented across many areas of the maritime industry. According to the latest IMO-WISTA Women in Maritime Survey, women account for just under 19% of the maritime workforce covered by the survey, underlining the continued need for initiatives aimed at improving representation and career progression. By hosting WIMA Europe’s headquarters, Georgia is positioning itself as a regional hub for cooperation on diversity, professional development and maritime leadership.
By connecting professionals from different countries and maritime disciplines, the associations contribute to stronger regional cooperation, support a more diverse and inclusive industry, and encourage future generations of women to pursue maritime careers.
The event concluded with a networking reception, giving participants the opportunity to build professional relationships and explore future partnerships.
By Team GT
