Top 100 women in shipping revealed

women in shipping

All About Shipping have revealed their top women in the industry, including Spinnaker Managing Director Teresa Peacock taking the number 16 spot.

I am honoured to be featured in this list alongside such a group of esteemed women!” says Teresa Peacock. “The shipping industry is notoriously male dominated so for All About Shipping to appreciate the women who are working hard in maritime is timely and celebratory.”

Anny Zade from All About Shipping said of the list “Despite the despicable situation we live in as we are in a double recession, despite another annus horribilis given the Coronavirus anathema, a bleak geopolitical and conversely uncertain market environment, valiant and admirable women were out there performing service to humankind and …outperforming. This last year was a real challenge for those working mostly from home tackling business, simultaneously caring and looking after children – some very young – and supporting others in their families whether from on board or ashore.”

The full list is as follows:

1.Irene Rosberg, Programme Director Executive MBA in Shipping and Logistics (The Blue MBA), Copenhagen Business School, Denmark and President of WISTA Denmark (2).

2.Pailette Paleologou, Vice President, Hellenic, Black Sea & Adriatic Zone, Bureau Veritas Hellas A.E., Greece (7).

3.Semiramis S. Palios, Deputy CEO Diana Shipping Inc., President of HELMEPA, Greece (5).

4.Dr. Aleka Mandaraka-Sheppard, Maritime Arbitrator, Chairman and Founder of the London Shipping Law Centre, UK (1).

5.Dr. Marina Papaioannou, Head of the Maritime Academy Hellas, Maritime Service Centre & Advisory at DNV GL Maritime, Greece (13).

6.Catherina Stanzel, Managing Director at Intertanko, London, United Kingdom (3).

7.Hu Xiaolian, Chairwoman at the Export – Import Bank of China, China (0).

8.Sabrina  Chao, of Wah Kwong Maritime Transport, Hong Kong and BIMCO’s President Designate (33)

9.Charlotte Røjgaard, Global Technical Manager for Verifuel, Bureau Veritas, Denmark (11); Jillian Carson-Jackson, President of The Nautical Institute, United Kingdom (0).

10.Elvia Bustavino, lawyer and General Secretary in the Panama Maritime Authority, Panama (0).

11.Dr. Helena Thanopoulou, Professor at the University of the Aegean at the Department of Shipping, Trade and Transport, Greece (29); Maria J. Angelicoussis, Maran Gas Maritime Inc., Greece (57); Eugenia D. Chandris, entrepreneur and founder A Magic Cabinet, former joint president of BHCC, Greece (0); Susan Terpilowski, OBE, Founder Image Line and joint president WISTA UK (8); Suzanna P. Laskaridis, Director Lavinia Group, Laskaridis Shipping Co. Ltd.  and founder Real Time Graduates, Greece (17). 

12.Nicola Good, Journalist and Global Head of Brand & External Relations Marine & Offshore at Lloyd’s Register, UK (15); Maria Dixon, Director, ISM Shipping Solutions Ltd, former WISTA UK president (20); Christine Cabau Woehrel, director of Assets at CMA CGM and former head of Port of Marseille Fos, France (10); Tracey Gunnlaugsson, CEO ExxonMobil/Sea River, Houston, USA (14).

13.Anna Angelicoussis, Principal of Alpha Bulkers, Alpha Gas and Pantheon Tankers, Greece (0)Prof Averil Macdonald OBE, DSc, DUniv, FRSA Deputy Master of the Worshipful Company of Fuellers and Freelance Diversity and Inclusion Consultant, United Kingdom (12).

14.Danae Bezantakou, CEO at Navigator Shipping Consultants, Secretary at the International Propeller Club Port of Piraeus, founder YES Forum, and president iforU, Greece (16).

15.Maria Ntouka-Montesantou, Legal Adviser at A1 Yachting Paleon Faliron, Athens, Greece (18); Dr. Anne-Marrie Warris, founder ecoreflect Ltd, United Kingdom (6); Katharine Palmer, Global Head of Sustainability at Lloyd’s Register, UK (0).

16.Despina Panayiotou Theodosiou, WISTA International president and CEO Tototheo Group, Cyprus (21); Teresa Peacock Managing Director Spinnaker and WISTA UK (20); Elpi J. Petrakis, president WISTA Hellas,  Chartering  Manager at ENEA Management Inc., II Vice President at EENMA, Greece (26).

17.  Maria Kouliga-Pavlou, CEO / founder of Trinity Insurance Brokers, president of the Hellenic Committee of Lloyd’s Brokers Associates, WISTA Hellas (18); Mary Carmen Barrios, Senior Vice President Ports, Terminal & Stevedoring Europe, Middle East & Africa, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Group, Panama (0).

18.Kristie Loutsiou, PA to Professor C. Th. Grammenos, Administrator for the Centre for Shipping, Trade and Finance at CASS Business School, United Kingdom(28). 

19.Clara Wahnich, Digital Innovation Partnerships Lead, Inmarsat, French (0).

20.Bridget Hogan, Director of Publishing and Membership at The Nautical Institute, WISTA-United Kingdom (9);  Natalia Margioli  Head of HMC and ICS Piraeus Branch, Greece (20); Elina Souli Regional Business Development Director, V.P- FD&D Manager, American P&I Club, Piraeus, Greece, vice president WISTA Hellas (88).

21.Maria Karahaliou, PA to GEMA Marine Manager Marine Internal Training Coordinator at  Lloyd’s Register EMEA, Greece (21). Dorothea Ioannou Chief Commercial Officer at Shipowners Claims Bureau Inc., as Manager of the American P&I Club and WISTA Hellas (25); Judith Patten MBE, Renewable Energy, Journalist and Media, UK (17); Shelagh Ingledow, Lloyd’s List Greek Shipping Awards and Greek Shipping Hall of Fame  Events secretariat, Greece (22).

22.Anna Vourgos, co-founder Aphentrica Marine Insurance Brokers and WISTA Cyprus President (24); Camila de Oliveira Diniz, HESGB, Brazil (19).

23.Elinor Dautlich, solicior andPartner at HFW, London, United Kingdom (28); Angela Smith, Customer Services Manager, DP World London Gateway, UK (0); Irene S. Daifas, CEO at Stavros Daifas Maritime Corporation, president of the Piraeus Marine Club, member of WISTA Hellas and HELMEPA, Greece (25). 

24. Natasha Brown, Media and Communications at the IMO, London, United Kingdom (27); Captain Jessica Tyson, Master Mariner, United Kingdom (26).

25Heidi Heseltine, co-founder of the Diversity Group, United Kingdom (29).

26. Sedan Kaptanoglu, Kaptanoglu Shipping Group of Companies, President & Chairperson of the Board, BIMCO, Turkey (37); Anne H. Steffensen, Director General of the Danish Shipowners Association, Denmark (27); Margaret Fitzgerald, Head of Marine Policy & Regulatory Affairs, International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), UK (0).

27.Jeanne Grasso, attorney, partner at Black Rome LLP and WISTA USA board member, USA (32).

28.Euridice Livada – Ntouka, Author, Historian, Argostoli, Cephalonia, Greece (29); Vasanti Selvaratnam QC at Stone Chambers, London (24).

29.Birgit Liodden, Founder/CEO, The Ocean Opportunity Lab, Chair, Norwegian Environmental Boats Association, Board Member, Bellona and WISTA Norway (33); Angie Hartmann, head of Crew Dept at Star Bulk and former president of WISTA-Hellas (until elections in 2020), ExCo WISTA International, Greece (30). 

30.Kathy Metcalf, CEO, Chamber of Shipping of America, USA (41); Carly Fields, editor ICS membership magazine, United Kingdom (37); Helle Hammer, CEFOR, Represents Cefor in external forums such as stakeholder committees in Bureau Veritas, RINA & DNV GL, and as a Board member of the Norwegian Maritime Forum. Chair of the IUMI Policy Forum, and Secretary to the Cefor Technical Forum, Norway (39).

31.H.E. Ms Kate Smith CMG, UK Ambassador to Greece (34); Pia Meling, Massterly AS and WISTA Norway president (38).

32.Gabriela Aresu of Studio Legale Aresu and WISTA Italy (34); Peggy Høegh Grays, ship operator at Stolt- Nielsen, USA and CBS (Blue MBA holder Class of 2019) graduate (50).

33.Teresa M Stevens, Founder and Director, Guardian Maritime Limited, UK (0).

34.Monika Lemajic, Naval Architect, Ship Repair Services Improvement Project manager Thales, Australia and CBS (Blue MBA) 2019 graduate, Australia (13).

35.Patty Apostolopoulou, Lloyd’s Register, United Kingdom and HESGB Secretary (51); Bjørg Ekornrud of the Norwegian Maritime Exporters and former president of WISTA Norway (36); Makiko Tani, Deputy Manager, Cyber Security Team, ClassNK, Japan (0). 

36.Gabriela Araya, engineer, director of Grupo SETIMSA, Panama, president of WISTA Panama (60).

37. Frances Baskerville, Secretary General of CIRM, London, United Kingdom (77); Rosana Velasco, HISPANIA P&I Correspondent, WISTA Spain (35). 

38.Daphne Angelidou, president WISTA Argentina and CEO at Agencia Maritima Intercontinental (49); Shoko Kamimori, president Fukada Salvage & Marine Works, Japan and WISTA Japan president (44).

39.Anna Maria Monogioudis, Director, Aegean Protective Coatings, Piraeus, Greece and WISTA Hellas former president (46).

40.Claudia Ohlmeier, DNV GL, president WISTA Germany (52).

41.Katerina Skourtanioti, managing director, Venlys Greece (0); Birgit Sølling Olsen, former deputy director of the Danish Maritime Authority (42).

42.Elena Sendona, Fashion designer and journalist, the heart and soul in fashionality and beyondgreeksalad, hospitality, tourism including maritime tourism, Greece (53).

43.Catherine Smith, General Council & Company Secretary of Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Holdings Ltd and WISTA Hong Kong president (0).

44.H.E. Natalya Royo, Panamanian Ambassador in the United Kingdom (0).

45.Olga Lazovskaya, a founder member of WISTA Russia and leading marine insurance  specialist, Russia (45); Natasa Pilides, Cyprus’ Shipping Deputy minister (40). 

46.Eleni Letoni, Communications, Sales & Marketing Co-ordinator for Greece, Cyprus & Malta at Bureau Veritas, Piraeus, Greece (50). 

47.Ayse Asli Basak, Mid-ship group LLC, Turkey (47).

48.Gianela Rivas Justiniani, Attorney, Illicit Trade Prevention Executive, Philip Morris Central America and the Carribean, Panamanian (56); Prof Gonda Van Steen, Academic, Koraes Chair of Modern Greek and Byzantine History, Language and Literature. Director, Centre for Hellenic Studies at King’s London (51).

49.Stamatia Tsevelekou, deputy manager Cruise and Ferry Terminal at PPA/COSCO, Greece (30).

50.Debbi Bonner, founder of j-l-a media in UK (54); Holly Birkett, journalist, London Correspondent at TradeWinds (0).

51.Michelle Wiese Bockmann, Markets editor at Lloyd’s List (0).

52.Clare Gomes, Strategic Planning & Communications Executive at AMSOL, South Africa and WISTA South Africa President (52).

53.Lesley Bankes-Hughes, publisher, director of publishing, Petrospot Ltd (Bunkerspot and ship.energy) UK (0); Isabella Ryckbost, ESPO secretary general, Brussels, Belgium (73). 

54.Maria Radwanska, marine insurance executive in Gdynia, Poland (54); Joyce Brigden, Area and Terminal Operations Manager, HAPAG-LLOYD Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (0); Eustacia (Staci) Weist, USCG, USA (83). 

55.Marianne Sørensen, CFO a Ramboll, Denmark (55); Ilya R. Espino de Marotta, Panama Canal, engineer, Executive Vice President for Engineering in the Panama Canal Authority, WISTA Panama (53).

56.Gianela Rivas, commercial director at Moscoso & Partners Panama and WISTA Panama sub secretary (56); Eugenia Benavides, Terpel, WISTA Colombia and IBIA (0); Prof. Yvonne Baatz, Centre for Commercial Law Studies, Queen Mary, University of London (61); Winnie Sorensen, Director, Coach & Facilitator at Wenford People and Executive Career Coach at Executive Connexions Ltd., United Kingdom, WISTA, UK (55).-

57.Captain Nil Deniz Sutcu Sen, Ocean-going Master Mariner, Maritime Pilot  Turkey (0); Olga Bornozis, Managing director at Capital Link, USA (63).

58.Margarita Mavromichalis, world acclaimed photographer, Greece (58).

59.Luisa Burgess, principal Advisor to Ecuador at the IMO, Ecuador  (0); Janet Porter, journalist at Informa, United Kingdom (64).

60.Joanna Koukouli, LL.M. Deputy Global Claims & Joint Managing Director – S.V.P.. Claims – Cargo.  (0); Angeliki Frangou CEO of Navios, Greece (82).

61.Azaarath Rasheed, general managerVivcore Energy Solutions PTE Ltd, Maldives (0); Belinda Bucknall, QC, Quadrant Chambers, London (62).

62.Monica Kohli, GARD (UK) Ltd office and WISTA UK joint president (64).

63.Iris Baguilat, President of DÖHLE Seafront crewing, Lawyer / president  DOHLE Seafront Crewing, Manila, Philippines (0).

64.Katy Ware, Director of Maritime Safety & Standards, Directorate of Maritime Safety & Standards, MCA, UK (0).

65.Sherice Arman, Maples and Cadler, president WISTA Cayman Islands (65); Sumiit Sharma, Head-Regional Sales, Head-Client Relations at Logistics Kart and WISTA India President (67). 

66.Philippa Hopkins, QC from Essex Court Chambers, London, United Kingdom (66); Lamia Kerdjoudj-Belkaid, Secretary General FEPORT, Brussels, Belgium (70); Julia Dias, QC at 7KBW, London, UK (72).

67.Alexandra Anagnostis, president Total Marine Services, WISTA International Secretary, WISTA USA Ex Officio Board Member (67); Parker Harrison, SVP and General Councel at Crowley Maritime Corp, WISTA USA president (68); Chrysoula Patrikiou, CEO & Founder of Potentia, Greece (0).

69.Poonam Melwani, QC a Quadrant Chambers, London, United Kingdom (69); Dr. Sasha Heriot, Business Development and Portfolio Manager Wärtsilä Corporation, (75); Unni Einemo, director of IBIA, IBIA’s representative at the IMO (80).

70.Karolina Kjellgren, Vice President, Oceania Trade, Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean and President WISTA Sweden (70); Susan Bill, Tax Partner at BDO, London, United Kingdom (73); Laia Politou,  solicitor, the Swedish P&I Club, Greece (65); Boriana Farrar, VPC and Business Development at Shipowners Claims Bureau  managers of the American P&I Club, USA (74).

71.Aline de Bievre, Journalist, Technical Writer & Editor – Maritime, United Kingdom (71); Sofia Falida, Business Development Manager at Polyeco  Group, Greece (73); Martina Meinders-Michael, managing director at MSM, WISTA Cyprus (81); Debora Valera, President of VSV Marine & Port Group, President of WISTA Venezuela, President of the Venezuelan Maritime Cluster, Venezuela (0).

72.Captain Radhika Menon, Indian Merchant Navy captain, India (72); Maria Mavroudi  marine insurance broker and Founder of Searock Marine Insurance Brokers. Founder also of Kallichoron Boutique Hotel, Island of Astypalaia Greece, and WISTA Hellas member (90); Mariella Bottiglieri, manager of GBSC, WISTA Switzerland member (79).

73.Anna Kalliani, co-president BHCC (British Hellenic Chamber of Commerce), Athens, Greece (78). 

74.Carleen Lyden Walker, CEO at Morgan Marketing & Communications, IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador, NAMEPA, SHIPPINGInsight, WISTA USA (85).

75.Nicola Cox, lawyer, West of England (75), UK; Sanjam Gupta, director Sitara Shipping Ltd India and WISTA’s International ExCo member for Middle East, Asia, Pacific Region, India (75).

76.Julie Lithgow, Director at the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers and WISTA UK member (76); Ioanna Topaloglou, CEO at Orion Insurance Brokers & Consultants, BoD at WISTA Hellas (31).

77.Isabella Jones, The Bahamas Maritime Authority in the United Kingdom, Bahamas (77); H.E. Cristina Liakopoulos de Papadikis, former Panamanian Ambassador in Greece (2014 -2019) (40).

 (78).Maria Yiassa, The Swedish Club, Greece and WISTA Hellas (77); 78.Maria Christina Ktistakis, Genmar Shipping and WISTA Hellas, ex-president WISTA-Hellas, (78); Christina Dupre Roos, partner at Blue C media, Norway (84).

79.Natasa Vassilaki of Naftiliaki/Seatrade, WISTA Hellas, Greece (88).

80.Olga Jaques, Business Development & Events Manager at Maritime London, UK (80); Maria Papadoyanne, Manager at Seascape Marine & Trading Ltd, WISTA Hellas, Greece (99).

81.Christiana Prekeze, Director HELMEPA, Treasurer WISTA Hellas (98).

82.Mia Jensen, Greek director & Events Marine Money International (82); Roula Tzamtzi, Chartwell Chartering Department, Glyfada, Athens , Greece (83).

83.Alexandra Gana, operations manager at Ganmar Shipping, Politician and WISTA Hellas member (85).

84.Jean Richards founder of Quantum Shipping Services, United Kingdom, and WISTA UK member (81); Dr.Sonia Ajini, Managing Director at Ajilex Ltd, WISTA Cyprus (87); Isabella Schidrich, Managing Director at NASDAQ United Kingdom (86).

85.Sofia Konstantopoulou, Global head, marketing & events at IBIA and founder of GIWA (Greek International Women’s Awards), London, United Kingdom (91).

86.Nazli Selek,  NSN law firm and president of WISTA Turkey (86).

87.Artemis Vamvakopoulou, co-founder/managing partner at Exrovert Business Communications and Posidonia Exhibition Press Office, Greece (89).

88.Kira Phoenix K’inan, Glass Artist Photographer, Painter, Environmentalist and Glass Tutor, London, United Kingdom (91); Karin Orsel, Marin Ship Management BV and former WISTA International president, The Netherlands (94).

89.Margareth J. Mosquera T., Lawyer at Arias & Associates, Panama (97).

90.Alexia Stella Mantzari CEO of AS Marine Ltd and philanthropist, Greece (0); Gina Panayiotou, Lawyer, Founder of Oceans Arena, Concept Founder of It’s ALL about Shipping, journalist and WISTA Cyprus member (96); Katerina  Stathopoulou MICS, Executive director at Investments & Finance, Tutor, WISTA Hellas and WISTA International ExCo member, Greece (96).

91.Patricia Velasquez, Commercial director and  Deputy Registrar at Macosnar Corporation, former president of Panama Chamber of Shipping 2018-2019 and WISTA Panama member (95); Ioanna Procopiou, CEO Sea Traders and founder  of Prominence Maritime S.A., Athens, Greece (94).

92.Anna Yudaeva, Lawyer, Steamship Insurance Management Services Limited, London, United Kingdom, (92); Dorte Thuesen Christensen, Vice President, Operations and Claims at Hafnia, Denmark (0); Irene Notias, Founder and Managing Director at Prime Bunkerplus, Propeller Club  Port of Piraeus BoG member, founder Project Connect and Adopt a Ship, Athens, Greece (95); Marina Tzoutzouraki, co-founder & CFO at eShipfinance, Athens, Greece (94).

93.Yasmina Rauber, Swiss Maritime Services, WISTA Switzerland past president (97); Iris Liaskonis, Director Seascape, WISTA Hellas and Propeller Club Port of Piraeus member, Greece (95).               

94.Maria Angelidou, Manager at GAC Greece and Board member at WISTA-Hellas, Greece (98).

95.Tahra Sergeant, Regional Manager in Africa and surrounding islands for IBIA, South Africa (98); Maria Belen Espineira, Lawyer and vice president WISTA Argentina (99); Ana Irene Delgado, Senator in Panama, former Ambassador of Panama in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Iceland and member of Panama’s Olympic team in fencing, devoted participant at the annual Davos Forum (100), Panama; Aspasia Rallis, Events Governor, Yacht Club of Greece, Greece (93).

96.Anna Kaparaki, Lecturer in Maritime Law at John Moores University, Liverpool, and Solicitor at Mackinnons Solicitors LLP, United Kingdom (100); Ida Stier, founder Stier Group, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands (98); Katerina Fitsiou  director and relationship manager at XRTC Greece and treasurer of the Association of Banking & Shipping Executives of Hellenic Shipping – the only woman in the board and long lasting member, Greece (97).

97.Consuelo Rivero Diaz, Ership, SAU, Ship agency and WISTA Spain (97); Peggy Papastavrou, lawyer at ATHEX Exchange, WISTA Hellas (94).

98.Rosalind Blazejczyk, Naval Architect, Managing Partner of Solis Marine, London, United Kingdom (71).

99.Margaret Llewellyn, Stella Marks and Gina Fyffe (the first international WISTA  member). Three of the WISTA Founding Members in 1974, United Kingdom (4)*.

and 100. Jenny Pournara, Secretary at the Piraeus Association of Maritime Arbitrators and WISTA Hellas member (59); Maria M. Tripolitis director PMS and Special Secretary at the Chios Marine Club, Greece (0).

Seafarer report: shortages, restrictions and freezes shaped 2020

ships crew

Spinnaker’s 7th Seafarer Wage Cost Report has been published, covering over 250,000 seafarers.

This is the most reliable crew wage cost data, thanks to information submitted from oil majors, shipowners and shipmanagers to Spinnaker’s membership body the Seafarer Employers’ Association.

Trends from the participating companies in the latest report show the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the industry, pay, and recruitment.

Seafarer shortage

Companies are reporting a general seafarer shortage across the board. This is reflected by comments from the International Chamber of Shipping who state:

The global demand for seafarers is estimated at 1,545,000, with the industry requiring approximately 790,500 officers and 754,500 ratings… The current supply-demand situation highlights a shortage of approximately 16,500 officers and a surplus of around 119,000 ratings.” [https://www.ics-shipping.org/shipping-fact/shipping-and-world-trade-global-supply-and-demand-for-seafarers/]

Participating companies in the seafarer wage cost survey in 2020 said that Chinese ratings were a nationality that had been the most difficult to recruit, along with a general view that 2nd Engineers and Chief Officer position were also hard to find and had longer lead times to fill positions on board.

It was also noted that the seafarer shortage was most noticeable on crude and chemical tankers.

The impact of covid

Some companies expressed that, inevitably, the coronavirus pandemic has had an impact on staffing, causing a temporary recruitment freeze. In contrast, Spinnaker’s shore-based recruitment business has seen recruitment continuing reasonably healthily at mid-levels of seniority and for executive and boardroom roles, albeit with very little activity for junior and entry-level staff.

Seagoing recruitment has suffered due to vessels being laid up in some sectors – and there was also the obstacle of travel restrictions impacting crew joining and leaving vessels which continues as the pandemic goes on.

Nationality snapshot

Members of the Seafarer Employers’ Association have access to a deep dive into the data, but looking at top line intel from the reports we found it interesting to see the nationality make-up of crews globally.

In a smaller analysis of some members, every company within that study said they have a mixed crew, with no single nationality ships. Ratings were mostly Filipino across the board, and Officers predominantly Indian or South European.

The full survey covered 93 nationalities in total, on 13 vessel types and 48 ranks.

The full report is available exclusively for participating members of the Seafarer Employers’ Association. If you would like to know more about joining and accessing this data, please contact Helen McCaughran at [email protected].