Environmental Committee
The Environment Committee (EC) will be responsible for keeping the organization updated on issues related to environmental protection and ensuring sustainable growth.
Scope
- Establish a presence for WISTA in environmental matters and an active role in identifying legislation, practice and follow ups on projects and new trends.
- By focusing on specific projects, developments and actions, it will validate the existence, value and achievements of women in this very important element of the maritime, trade and logistics sectors.
- Empower NWAs in order to actively participate in regional environmental developments.
- Determine specific projects that are being followed by organizations and associations, and organize active support to the ExCo in such projects, working committees or other groups when needed.
WISTA Environmental Committee Members
Camila I. Gonzalez (WISTA Argentina), Celeste Passos (WISTA Brazil), Marthe Edimo (WISTA Cameroon), Eliana Charalambous Savvidi (WISTA Cyprus), Facelys Mora (WISTA Dominican Republic), Cea Mittler (WISTA Finland), Franziska Eckhoff (WISTA Germany), Paulina Abrokwah (WISTA Ghana), Maria Boile (WISTA Hellas), Holly Basile (WISTA Monaco), Vivian Chimezie Azubuike (WISTA Nigeria), Sinem Ogis (WISTA Norway), Marisol Geldres (WISTA Peru), Smriti Sharma (WISTA Singapore), Hermoine Manual (WISTA South Africa), Lotten Kronudd (WISTA Sweden), Gina Panayiotou (WISTA UK), Monica Acosta (WISTA Uruguay), Lisa Drake (WISTA USA), Julia Álvarez (WISTA Venezuela)
Chair of the Environmental Committee: Lisa Drake (WISTA USA)
ExCo Representative: Raimah Chowdhury, sub Nazli Selek
The Ocean Has a Noise Problem – And It’s One We Can No Longer Ignore
We are pleased to share the latest edition of Reflections from the WISTA International Environmental Committee, authored by Hermoine Manuel, WISTA South Africa and Eliana Savvidi, WISTA Cyprus.
This edition explores the growing issue of underwater radiated noise (URN) from shipping and why it deserves greater attention within the maritime sustainability agenda.
While decarbonisation remains a key priority, reducing underwater noise is also an important step towards protecting marine biodiversity. Encouragingly, many solutions – including improved vessel design, quieter propulsion systems and operational measures – can also contribute to greater energy efficiency.
The article also highlights the work of the GloNoise Partnership, a global collaboration between the IMO, UNDP and GEF, which is supporting countries in developing the knowledge, tools and capacity needed to better understand and mitigate underwater noise from shipping.
We hope this edition encourages further discussion about how the maritime sector can advance both climate and biodiversity goals, helping to build a future where ships are not only cleaner, but quieter too.
Read the full Reflections in the document below. We’d love to hear your thoughts.
Announcing the WISTA Environmental Masterclass Series!
These bite-sized, 15-minute talks provide engaging updates on the latest environmental issues affecting the shipping industry.
Lisa Drake PhD, SGS Marine Field Services & Monitoring, discusses: “The Last Piece of the Puzzle in Global Ballast Water Management” – watch the talk here
Claudia Beumer, Owner/Director of C4 fuel, shares her insights on: “How future fuels will change the maritime industry” – watch the talk here
Gina Panayiotou, Founder & CEO of the ESG consultancy Oceans Arena and Chair of the World ESG Forum, shares her insights on: “The role of ESG in maritime and influencing change” – watch the talk here
Dr. Sinem Ogis, Head of Legal Affairs at Siglar Carbon, shares her insights on “Navigating Emission Regulations in Shipping” – watch the talk here
Capt. Jaquelyn Burton, Vice President of Bridge Systems at Kongsberg Maritime & President of WISTA Norway shares her insights on “Balancing Human-Centered Design, System Resilience, and Environmental Goals” – watch the talk here
Luciana Suman, Marine Engineer Officer, Mechanical Engineer and Founder of MarMec Consultancy Training shares her insights on “From Emissions to Decisions: Indicators Driving the Energy Transition”– watch the talk here
Dr. Federica Pace, Director of Applied Sciences Europe for JASCO Applied Sciences, delivers a sharp, dive into one of the shipping industry’s most overlooked environmental challenges: underwater radiated noise in “Navigating New Waters: The Business Case for Reducing Underwater Radiated Noise” – watch the talk here
Captain Maria Cecilia T. de Castro, Head of the Department of Environmental Affairs in Brazilian National Waters, Environment Superintendence of the Directorate of Ports and Coasts, Brazilian Maritime Authority, presents “Vessels’ Biofouling: Operational and Biosecurity Issues” an overview of biofouling as well as the guidelines and regulations currently in place. – watch the talk here
Cathrin Prikker, delivers an insightful update on the intersection of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors and how ships manage waste in “Beyond MARPOL Compliance – ESG’s Role in Shaping the Future of Waste Management”– watch the talk here
Thandeka Nonceba Tembe, Research Analyst on Maritime Decarbonisation – Green Hydrogen at the South African International Maritime Institute, shares her expertise in alternative fuels in “Navigating the Hydrogen Revolution: South Africa’s Maritime Opportunity” – watch the talk here
Dewi Wesselman, Team Lead Environment, Social, and Governance (ESG) at Damen Shipyards, shares her expertise and explores the globally relevant topic of the circular economy and how it can benefit the maritime sector in “Circular Economy Opportunities for the Maritime Industry” – watch the talk here
– watch the talk here
Ersi Zacharopoulou, Global Business Development Manager at SGS delivers an insightful overview of “Lessons Learned: Key Insights for the 2025 Concentrated Inspection Campaign” International Ballast Water Management Convention (IBWMC) – watch the talk here
Dr. Theodora Alexakis (P. Eng., PhD), Independent Consultant and Associate at Polaris Advantage Inc., presents “Let’s Talk Trash, Solid Waste Management onboard Cruise Ships” a overview of solid waste management onboard cruise ships – watch the talk here
If you want to refresh your memory on what happened during MEPC81 earlier this year in a nutshell, check out the MEPC81 Quick Fact Sheet prepared by the WISTA International Environmental Committee
Find the Presentation on the following link: MEPC81 document
Well done to the Environmental Committee Editorial Team reporting on it:
- GHG Emissions – Sinem Ogis
- Air Pollution Prevention – Franziska Eckhoff
- Energy Efficiency on Ships – Hermoine Manuel
- Pollution Prevention & Response – Natalia Bagnato
- Special Areas – Cea Mittler
- Underwater noise – Marielle Gehlert, Committee Co-Chair
- Ballast Water Management – Lisa Drake
- Other developments – Edimo Marthe
and
Viviane Chimezie-azubuike
Gina Panayiotou, Committee Co-Chair
Sources & Credits: The document was compiled based primarily on the MEPC 80 summary reports of Lloyds Register, Bureau Veritas, American Bureau of Shipping & Rina.
Steering towards a low-carbon future: Shipping and the EU ETS
Read the latest article from the Environmental Committee which provides an overview of the European Union Trading Emissions System (EU ETS) and its integration of the maritime sector starting from 2024.
Want to know what happened at MEPC80 in a nutshell?
Highlight of the week was the revised 2023 International Maritime Organization GHG Strategy, however the week was filled with fruitful discussions and our Environmental Committee has been busy putting together a Quick Factsheet, with the recap of it all.
1 – GHG Emissions, Cea Mittler, 2 – Air Pollution, Camilla Kjelsaas
3 – Energy Efficiency on Ships, Maria Boile, 4 – Ballast Water Management, Smitri Sharma
5 – Pollution Prevention & Response, Edimo Marthe, 6 – Special Areas, Gina Panayiotou, Committee Co-Chair
7 – Underwater noise, Hermoine Manuel, 8 – Other developments, Lisa Drake and Marielle Gehlert, Committee Co-Chair
Sources & Credits: The document was compiled based primarily on the MEPC 80 summary reports of Lloyds Register, Bureau Veritas , American Bureau of Shipping & Rina.