Business, Feature, Freight News

Wista celebrates 40 years – but still work to do

[ August 8, 2014   //   Chris ]

WISTA-UK – the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association – celebrated four decades of “remarkable progress“ at its 40th anniversary gala dinner at the headquarters of the International Maritime Organisation on 30 July.

Leading personalities from the maritime world congratulated WISTA-UK on its achievements, and the elevated status of the UK association was underlined by support for the black-tie event from some 140 members and guests.

Jean Richards of Quantum Shipping Services recalled the reluctance of the Baltic Exchange, through which much shipping business is done in London, to admit female members; and when it did let women in, “it was again a gesture.” Ms Richards said: “Women had to fight because all the business was done not on the trading floor, but in the bar, and… if you were a woman, you had to go to the cocktail lounge. You could not even do a deal because the bloke did not want to buy you a gin and tonic.” Ms Richards regretted that the exchange was still “not very pro-women.”

Tags: Wista