The 2026 Gender-inclusive Leadership in Maritime training course, delivered by the World Maritime University (WMU) in partnership with IMO and the Women's International Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA International), concluded on 8 July. The programme brought together 23 maritime professionals from 18 countries to strengthen leadership capacity and advance gender-inclusive approaches across the maritime sector. The course is designed to strengthen the strategic leadership and project management capabilities of mid-career maritime professionals while promoting gender equality and inclusive leadership in decision-making.
Participants represented seafarers, maritime administrations, port authorities, coast guards, maritime education and training institutions, and industry. Delivered in three stages, the programme combined online learning with a five-day residential component at WMU in Malmö.
The opening online sessions introduced participants to gender-inclusive leadership through project design and strategic management, covering topics such as critical thinking, gender mainstreaming, stakeholder analysis, project planning, risk management, monitoring and evaluation, and effective leadership and communication. The in-person portion at WMU enabled participants to put these concepts into practice through interactive workshops, group projects and peer learning.
Sessions focused on public speaking, leadership styles, effective communication, team building, diversity management and gender-responsive project management.
Working in teams, participants developed and presented project proposals addressing gender-related challenges in the maritime sector, before concluding the week with a certification ceremony. The final online sessions focused on coaching and mentoring, career development, and the preparation of personalised leadership action plans.
Participants concluded the programme by presenting their plans for implementing gender-inclusive leadership initiatives in their respective organizations, ensuring that the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the course can be translated into practical action. Designed and led by Professor Momoko Kitada, Academic Dean and Head of Maritime Education and Training at WMU, the programme drew on the expertise of WMU faculty together with international specialists in leadership development, communication and human resource management.
Throughout the course, participants were encouraged to share experiences from their own countries and organizations, creating a dynamic learning environment that fostered peer learning and international collaboration.
The Gender-inclusive Leadership in Maritime training course supports IMO's capacity development efforts across the global maritime sector while advancing gender equality and inclusive leadership. WMU's leading role in the design and delivery of the programme reflects the University's expertise in gender mainstreaming as well as the commitment to equipping maritime professionals with knowledge, practical skills and international networks to effectively lead organizational change to advance a more diverse, resilient and sustainable maritime industry.
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