A cross-section of executives from shipping and associated professions and commentators who attended the sixth annual Grand Debate organised by WISTA-UK concluded that the commercial world is largely oblivious to the essential nature of shipping. WISTA UK is a leading national branch of the Women’s International Shipping & Trading Association.
On a show of hands, the meeting clearly carried the motion: This House believes that the shipping industry is invisible.There were a variety of answers to the rider “if so, whose fault is it?”. The blame ranged from governments, to industry leaders, to a general failure to co-ordinate and strengthen lobbying and educational efforts.
WISTA-UK is putting its own resources into its new Came by Ship campaign, developed from its extensive promotional efforts over its four decades of existence.
The debate on May 8 e, part of WISTA-UK’s 40th anniversary celebrations, and sponsored by major law firm Clyde & Co, featured a panel of two speakers for and two against the proposition.