With great success, WISTA Cyprus, organised its’ annual shipping forum for 2018, themed “Navigating the New Norm,” at the Four Season’s Hotel in Limassol.
The forum hosted a panel composed of shipping figures from the local and international shipping industry, as per below:
• Mrs. Karin Orsel - CEO MF Shipping Group, Vice Chairman ICS (International Chamber of Shipping) and President of the Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners
• Capt. Alfred Hartmann – Chairman of the Hartmann Group and President of the German Shipowners Association
1. Capt. Maxim Sharov - Operations & Gas Fleet Manager SCF Management Services
• Mr. Arthur McWhinnie - Managing Director of Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement (Cyprus) Ltd and Member of the Board of Directors of the Cyprus Shipping Chamber
Moderator: Mrs. Cleo Papadopoulou, Partner and Shipping & Ports Tax Leader at PWC Cyprus & WISTA Cyprus Member
The forum covered the issues and challenges of the transformation period that the shipping industry is presently facing, with changing market expectations and needs in respect of technology, regulations, as well as the ways in which, ship operators are adjusting to this new reality by “navigating the new norm.” The forum was concluded with an interactive question and answer section, encouraging diverse and interesting discussion with the audience as well as food for thought.
Marking the conclusion of the forum, was Ms. Despina Panayiotou Theodossiou’s, President of WISTA International, announcement of her decision to step down from the position of President of WISTA Cyprus, with effect from 1st of March, 2018, albeit retaining a position in the Board her decision to step down from the position of President of WISTA Cyprus, with effect from 1st of March, 2018. A founding member of WISTA Cyprus and President since its establishment in 2011, Mrs. Theodosiou delivered a touching speech, in which she stated that “I leave the president’s position with satisfaction and happiness in my heart for everything that we are and represent, as an association.” Thanking all members for their overwhelming support in this journey, Mrs. Theodosiou departed with a request to the association’s members and friends, to preserve and cherish and make WISTA stronger! WISTA Vice President Anna Vourgos, of Aphentrica Marine Insurance Brokers Ltd, was appointed Acting President of the association, assuming position as of 1st of March, 2018 and up to the next Annual General Meeting. Mrs Vourgos thanked Mrs Theodossiou and the Board members for entrusting her with the reins of WISTA Cyprus and reassured the members of the association, of her commitment to her new role.
The forum ended with the designated networking cocktail reception for all participants, members and friends of the association.
Listed in alphabetical order, the event was sponsored by Aphentrica Marine Insurance Brokers Ltd, Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement, Bureau Veritas, Delloite, Department of Merchant Shipping, ERSCO, ERSCO-RA, Interorient Shipmanagement, Intership Navigation and Tototheo Group.
WISTA is a networking organization for women at management level in the maritime industry.