Welcome to WISTA The Netherlands

WISTA Netherlands was established in 2000 and has at present 125 members.

WISTA (Women’s International Shipping and Trading Association) is an international networking organization for women at management level in the maritime industry (see www.wista.net for the international umbrella organization).

Women in the shipping industry work in a relatively conservatively male dominated world and therefore a network like ours is both necessary and stimulating. WISTA seeks to emphasize the urgency of diversity in the maritime sector with its strong competitive field where distinction by innovation is of vital importance.

Has the shipping industry recognized the key role that women can play? Quality, not gender, should be the criterion for filling the economic gap in our industry caused by the greying effect. Research has also proven that diverse management teams work more creative, which in turn leads to innovation. Innovation is key for a competitive position.

WISTA wants to make both men and women aware of their responsibility to allow more women in this industry and it is our goal to make the shipping industry an attractive career option for young people.

It is encouraging to meet other women with a similar professional background and with an understanding of the issues we are dealing with. Our members represent a broad range of the shipping industry, but we are always on the look-out for new members that can contribute to our network.

We look forward to seeing you in the future!

Karin Orsel

President WISTA The Netherlands

_________________________________________________________________

We are happy to welcome the following new members on board:

Carla Hogeweg
CEO at Shiptron Holding B.V. / True Heading B.V.

Dionne Abramson
Public Affairs at Vopak

Yolanda Roelfs
Employed at Post & Co (P&I)

Danya  Emmelot
Senior Support Lawyer at Loyens & Loeff N.V.

Annette van Ketel
MSc Maritime Economics & Logistics
Erasmus University

Angela van Akkeren
Hello WISTA Ladies, my name is Angela van Akkeren, 49 years young  and Account Manager with Marine Care BV in Maassluis, The Netherlands. I recently joined WISTA, as I am a firm believer of “women in power in the maritime world”. I realize that we still have a long way to go, but I am convinced that women with specialist knowledge, will stand strong in this world, still mainly dominated by men.
To be able to develop, using each other’s strengths and experience in the different sections is a must. Internet forums such as WISTA will serve this purpose. Therefore, I am available to any of you, who feels I can be of assistance and will be happy to help out wherever I can.
I easily get carried away, when I talk about my involvement in promoting our Greencare cleaning agents as immediate replacement for today’s hazardous chemicals used on board vessels, platforms, rigs etc. So I will try to keep it short.
Selling  cleaning/maintenance chemicals for maritime use has been the backbone of our company’s growth. However, in line with the growing attention over the years for safer and more environmental-friendly alternatives, Marine Care started with the introduction and promotion of a “green” alternative range of products in 2010. The latter is keeping me busy, both while visiting prospects, presenting details of these products as well as performing demonstrations in engine rooms and on deck, aboard vessels throughout Europe and hopefully soon worldwide. This is a long road .. companies on the one hand are focused on working as safe and responsible as possible, but do not (want to) invest (time, money and effort) into considering alternatives.
You see … I get carried away!!
Anyone that would like to learn about this, please give me a call or drop an email.
I am ready to further explore this men’s world .. Are you?

Claudia Beumer
My name is Claudia Beumer and since the 1st of August I have a new role within Emerson; Business Development Manager Marine & Power. I have been working with Emerson as an Account Manager for the analytical department since 2007, where I was responsible for the sales of process analyzers for liquids and gasses (emission monitoring for example). From origin I am a Process Engineer and my career has developed from Product Manager technical insulation at Rockwool through Sales & Service engineer at GE Infrastructure to my current role at Emerson Process Management.

The marine is a new market for me and I am really looking forward to find my way in it and tell the Dutch marine market about Emerson’s certified bunker solution and fuel efficiency measurements.

In my private life I have a wonderful daughter of 7 and a very nice boyfriend. I have quite a busy life, with my job, several kinds of sports and my family, but I wouldn’t have it any other way, because my main target is to enjoy life to the fullest.

Lonneke Holierhoek
My name is Lonneke Holierhoek and I am Commercial Manager at Van Oord, an international contractor specialising in dredging, marine engineering and offshore projects. Since 1996, I have been working in dredging, in commercial functions as well as in the execution of projects. I also lived in different countries with my family (husband and two children) for several years. Since 2009, we live in Leiderdorp, the Netherlands again and I work for Van Oord's offshore division in Gorinchem, that serves specifically clients form the oil & gas industry.

Linda Vos - de Wit
Ad Interim HR Advisor/Coach Technical Personnel at Kupu-Kupu

Mariela Verhaaf-Olieberg
Marketing & Communications Coordinator at Det Norske Veritas BV

Larissa N'Gbo
Works in Marketing & Communications at NileDutch

Alma de Hoop
Alma de Hoop is a staff member for operational affairs at the KVNR (Royal Association of Netherlands Shipowners) in Rotterdam. She is responsible for the various Nautical and Technical affairs dossiers including the Ballast Water Management System. Part of her duties is to attend the meetings of a number of national and international organisations, or to advise other attendees. It is vital that Dutch shipowners’ interests are represented during those meetings. The KVNR also offers their members support and advice on an individual basis on matters concerning design and equipment regulations, the business climate, the maritime labour market and sustainability.
Alma gained her professional experience both at sea and ashore. She sailed as a deck officer and engineer on a number of different types of vessels: chemical tankers (inland and seagoing), semi submergible vessels, multi-purpose vessels, tugs and passenger vessels. Her previous shore positions include those of assistant Technical Superintendent of the SSCV Hermod, tugs and barges, operator for several gas tankers, and as an instructor for ECDIS courses and the bridge simulator. She earned her Bachelor degree in Maritime operations at the Maritime Academy in Rotterdam. Outside of her maritime career, she enjoys catamaran sailing, bicycling, running and swimming.