International Day for Women in Maritime 2026

18 May, marks International Day for Women in Maritime 2026. Under this year’s theme, ““From Policy to Practice: Advancing Gender Equality for Maritime Excellence”,” IBIA proudly joins the global maritime community in celebrating the invaluable contributions of women across our sector.

With a strong gender-balanced Global Board, Regional Boards, and Secretariat, IBIA is committed to supporting and championing the role of women in shaping the future of maritime and bunkering. As we celebrate this important day, we reaffirm our dedication to fostering an inclusive, forward-looking, and equitable maritime industry—where opportunity knows no boundaries.

Date: 18 May 2026

Time: 4.30 p.m.

Location: IMO Headquarters, London

Programme

16.00 – 16.30 Registration 

16.30 – 16.35 Opening of the event by Mr. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General, IMO  

16.35 – 16.50 Expert perspective: “Why Gender Mainstreaming Matters: Challenges and Gaps in the Maritime Sector” 

Moderator: Atty. Sharon De Chavez-Aledo, Maritime Attaché, Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the IMO, Chair of HTW Sub-Committee & Co-Chair IMOGENder  

Speaker: Professor Anna Petrig, University of Basel  

16.50 – 17.00     Launch of the Handbook on Gender Mainstreaming Professor Momoko Kitada, World Maritime University 

17:00 – 17.15 Expert perspective: “From Commitment to Action: Best Practices in Gender Mainstreaming” 

Moderator: Atty. Sharon De Chavez-Aledo 

Speaker: Mia Krogslund Jørgensen, Vice President and Head of People, Culture & Strategy, Hafnia  

17.15 – 17.30  IMO Gender Equality Award Ceremony 

The 2026 IMO Gender Equality Award will be presented to Professor Momoko Kitada 

17.30 – 20.30  Reception

To register please visit the event on the IMO website: https://www.imo.org/en/about/events/pages/international-day-for-women-in-maritime-2026.aspx or scan the above QR code.