WISTA Malta Official Launch
The Maltese maritime community reached a historic milestone recently with the official inaugural launch of WISTA Malta. The event brought together a powerful collective of industry leaders, policymakers, and professionals to celebrate the establishment of a platform dedicated to the advancement and empowerment of women across the maritime sector. The evening was a resounding statement of intent: to ensure that the future of Malta’s blue economy is inclusive, innovative, and driven by the best talent available.
The launch was highlighted by a keynote address from the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works Mr. Bonnett, who underscored the government’s commitment to a progressive maritime landscape. The Minister emphasized that as a leading global maritime hub, Malta must continue to set the standard for social progress. He reaffirmed that empowering women in this sector is not just a matter of equity, but a strategic necessity to drive innovation and maintain the competitiveness of the Maltese flag in an evolving global market.
Following the Minister, the President of WISTA Malta Capt. Fenech shared a compelling vision for the local chapter, focusing on the “tangible momentum” created by the presence of so many key stakeholders. She highlighted that WISTA Malta aims to be a catalyst for transformative impact through mentorship, networking, and advocacy. In her address, she noted that the collective dedication shown at the launch would foster a new era of leadership and excellence, ensuring that women in maritime have the pathways and support needed to thrive at every level of the industry.
The realization of WISTA Malta is the result of tireless dedication behind the scenes. We owe a profound debt of gratitude to our Executive Committee and Founding Members, whose passion and persistence turned a vision into a reality.
“Their collective commitment and voluntary efforts have laid the foundation for this chapter, creating a legacy that will support generations of maritime professionals to come. We thank them for their courage to lead and their belief in the potential of this community.”
Beyond the keynote addresses, the event was honoured by the presence of several high-level pioneers and distinguished guests whose leadership has long-strengthened Malta’s maritime landscape. Among those in attendance were Mr. Jonathan Borg, His Excellency Ambassador to Panama; Dr. Ann Fenech, President of the Comité Maritime International (CMI); Capt. Fritz Farrugia, Harbour Master; and former MEP Dr. Josianne Cutajar. Their participation served as a powerful reminder of the mission’s importance, as their forward-thinking initiatives continue to inspire the community and open new doors for the industry leaders of tomorrow.
Empowering women in maritime takes a village, and this milestone was made possible through the generous support of our sponsors. We extend a special thank you to Transport Malta and the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works for their championship. We also acknowledge our Platinum sponsors, Malta Ship Brokers Limited and MaritimeMT; our Gold sponsors, Malta Maritime Pilots, Tug Malta Ltd, AML, Malta Freeport, and Grimaldi Marine Partners Ltd; and our Silver partners, Melita Marine Group, Sullivan Maritime, ISTC, Valletta Cruise Port, Fenech & Fenech Advocates, Alkagesta, MMH, Cassar Marine Group, and VGT. We further thank our Event and Website partners, Cargo, The Creatives by Albert Camilleri, Brown’s Pharma, and Empixa Brand Development, for their vital contributions to this successful launch.
To all our guests, your engagement and insight brought tangible momentum to this pivotal moment. We warmly invite you to continue this journey with us by joining the WISTA Malta community. Together, we can foster leadership, equity, and a lasting transformative impact across the maritime sector.
