WOMEN IN MARITIME – SheEO Conference – EMPOWERING WOMEN IN MARITIME
The Maritime SheEO Conference will return during India Maritime Week 2025 with a dynamic three-day programme celebrating diversity, leadership, and legal excellence in the maritime sector. Under the theme Dream, Believe, Achieve, the event will spotlight women driving innovation and transformation across the industry.
Day 1 will feature a Career Fair and Future Leaders Forum, offering students and young professionals’ direct access to recruiters and industry mentors.
Day 2 will host the Leadership, Inclusion & Innovation Summit, bringing together CEOs and changemakers to discuss diversity, sustainability, and the future of maritime leadership, concluding with an awards ceremony.
Day 3 (Oct 30) will present ANCHORCON, a legal conference at NESCO, Mumbai, focused on admiralty law, compliance, and risk. Over 400 participants, including legal experts and industry leaders, will engage in expert-led panels and case-based discussions to shape a more inclusive maritime future.
What is The Maritime SheEO Conference?
The Maritime SheEO Conference is the world's largest conference for diversity in the maritime industry. This year, held during India Maritime Week, we shine a spotlight on women who dream, believe, and achieve. We firmly believe that when given opportunities, women can achieve anything. It is through our collective belief in women that they can excel in their careers and grow into remarkable leaders. Women have demonstrated exceptional leadership, whether by founding their own companies or driving growth in organizations they were entrusted to scale. Our goal through this three-day conference is to have meaningful discussions and provide actionable strategies on how we can create more opportunities for women to succeed - ashore or at sea
Day 1 – October 28, 2025 – Believe & Achieve
Career Fair & Future Leaders Forum
At JW Marriott, Sahar, Mumbai | 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Day 1 kicks off with a Career Fair and student-focused sessions, offering aspiring maritime professionals, cadets, students, and young job seekers, firsthand access to industry leaders, recruiters, and innovators. Participants will hear what it's really like to work at sea, explore shore-based roles, and learn about the future of maritime careers. In the second half, the focus shifts to future women leaders and allies, with sessions on leadership development, upskilling, mentorship, and navigating careers in a changing maritime world. This day is all about access, ambition, and action, designed to energise the next generation of maritime talent.
Day 2 – October 29, 2025 – Lead
Leadership, Inclusion & Innovation Summit
At JW Marriott, Sahar, Mumbai | 9:00 AM – 8:30 PM
Day 2 gathers the industry's most influential voices (CEOs, founders, decision-makers, and changemakers) to explore the future of maritime leadership. Sessions will dive into diversity, innovation, sustainability, and what it takes to lead in today's evolving global landscape. Expect bold conversations, practical insights, and deep dives into how companies are moving from intention to impact. The day concludes with a celebratory awards ceremony, honouring individuals and organisations who are redefining excellence and driving meaningful change across the sector.
Day 3 – October 30, 2025 – ANCHORCON
A Standalone Legal Conference on Admiralty, Navigation, Compliance, Handling, Ownership & Risk
At NESCO, Mumbai | 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
ANCHORCON is a dedicated legal forum designed for professionals navigating the complex legal landscape of the maritime industry. With focused sessions on admiralty law, compliance, ownership, risk, and operational challenges, this day brings together legal minds and industry experts for deep, practical dialogue. Held in person, ANCHORCON is expected to welcome over 400 participants, including lawyers, in-house counsels, regulatory authorities, insurers, and shipping company executives. Expect expert-led panels, case-based discussions, and networking with those shaping the legal frameworks that govern maritime operations in India and globally
Day 1 – October 28, 2025
Believe & Achieve
| Time | Main Room | Breakout Room |
|---|---|---|
| 09:30 IST | Registrations Open | |
| 10:00 IST | Welcome Note & Lighting of The Lamp | |
| 10:10 IST | Keynote Speeches | |
| 10:30 IST | Panel: Careers at Sea & Shore – Stories from Women Leaders powered by Indian Maritime University * Ivana Kulkarni – Master Mariner, Wilhelmsen Ship Management * Elizabeth Marami – Senior Marine Pilot, Kenya Ports Authority * Nitzeria Watson – The Nautical Institute * Udara Cumaratunga - Deputy General Manager - Commercial & Marketing, SAGT * Moderator Student of IMU | Mentorship Zone - Powered by JCJ Consulting Get mentored by a panel of 8 women to explore careers at sea. |
| 11:00 IST | Perfect Your Pitch: Elevator Pitch Challenge Learn how to craft a powerful elevator pitch, then put your skills to the test. After a short talk, you'll deliver your pitch in groups of 10, with a judge. Winners take home a small prize! | |
| 11:15 IST | Maritime Student Quiz - Rapid Fire Questions | |
| 11:45 IST | Student Debate powered by Fleet Management | |
| 12:30 - 14:00 IST | Open Zone * Networking: Meet leaders * Booth Visits: Visit various booths set up by our partners | |
| 13:00 - 14:00 IST | Power Lunch Break | |
| 14:00 IST | SheEO Stories - Speaker TBD | |
| 14:10 IST | Panel: Introduction by Khushbu Singh – Managing Director, Knot Ship Management Speakers: * Ilona Denisenko – President, WISTA Russia * Moderator - TBD | Workshop to be announced. 14:10 - 15:10 Registrations opening soon |
| 14:40 IST | SheEO Stories - Speaker TBD | |
| 14:50 IST | Dealing with Imposter Syndrome with Mônica Zionede Hall – Founder and CEO, Feliz Consulting | |
| 15:15 IST | Opening the Conversation: Why Menopause Awareness Is a Business Imperative Torild Boe Stokes – CPD-accredited Menopause Coach, IPEC-certified Energy Leadership™ Practitioner | "Mariner to CEO - Taking the first step" with Jagmeet Makkar, FICSDirector, SKILLSPLUS- SG & HK | Managing Principal, LSF Global 15:15 - 16:15 Registrations now open |
| 15:30 IST | Individual Talk / Presentation | |
| 15:50 IST | SheEO Stories - Zoe Upson #2 TOP 100 Women | SheEO Entrepreneur of the Year | Top 20under40 SHIPPING | Director at FACT - Freight and Commodity Talent | Above workshop continued |
| 16:00 IST | Tea Break | |
| 16:15 IST | SheEO Stories - Capt. Matsushita DGM MITSUI O.S.K Lines (MOL)'s First Female Ship Captain | India & The Nordics – Breaking Barriers, Building Futures. Annette Holte, Kongsberg Maritime Rina Sunder as the moderator 16:15 - 17:15 Registrations open |
| 16:30 IST | Skill Development and Future Readiness * Jagmeet Makkar, FICS – Mediator & Independent Arbitrator | Director, SKILLSPLUS- SG & HK | Managing Principal, LSF Global * Dr. Joanna Eugenia Bakouni – L&D Manager, Maersk Training * Akanksha Batura Pai – Executive Director, Sinoda Shipping * Moderator: Catherine Logie – Director, Ocean Technologies Group | |
| 17:10 IST | SheEO Stories - Jillian Carson-Jackson President (Honorary) – The Nautical Institute | Managing Director – JCJ Consulting | Director – GlobalMET | Fellow – Royal Institute of Navigation | Fellow – The Nautical Institute | |
| 17:30 IST | High-Tea / Networking / Raffle | Special Networking Room Reserved 17:30 - 19:30 |
Day 2 – October 29, 2025
LEAD
| Time | Main Room | Breakout Room 1 | Breakout Room 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 09:00 IST | Registrations Open | ||
| 09:30 IST | Opening Remarks & Lighting of The Lamp | ||
| 09:40 IST | Keynote Speeches * Thomas A. Kazakos – Secretary General, International Chamber of Shipping * Monica Nagalgaard – Consul General, Royal Norwegian Consulate General, Mumbai * Shri Ramesh Ramakrishnan – Chairman, Transworld Group * Shashi Kiran Shetty - Founder & Chairman, Allcargo Group * Siv Remøy-Vangen - Managing Director at Norwegian Electric Systems | ||
| 10:30 IST | Insightful Talk Birgit M. Liodden – Founder, The Ocean Opportunity Lab (TOOL) | ||
| 10:45 IST | Mini-break | ||
| 10:55 IST | Presentation from Safe Harbours Australia * Matt Shirley – CEO, Safe Harbours Australia | Workshop: "Strategic Exploration of Holistic Sustainability for Maritime India" with Sofia Fürstenberg Stott – Founder & Partner, Fürstenberg Maritime Advisory 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM [Registrations Open] | |
| 11:10 IST | Panel: Innovating Through Empowerment * Capt. Dinesh Jairam – General Manager, Fleet Personnel, Seaspan Crew Management * Huma Qureshi – General Manager, Emirates Shipping Association * Anisha Ramakrishnan – Director, Transworld Group * Su Yin Anand - Head, Strategy & Transformation, ASEAN at IBM * Moderated by Capt. Jaquelyn Burton – Director of Experience Design, Kongsberg Maritime | 11:10 AM - 12:10 PM Workshop to be announced. Registrations opening soon [Registrations Open] | |
| 11:50 IST | Report Launch with VR Maritime | ||
| 12:05 IST | WIMA India Launch | ||
| 12:25 IST | Diversity Partner - Fleet Management | Workshop to be announced. 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM Registrations opening soon [Registrations Open] | |
| 12:30 IST | Sagar Mein Samman Initiative * Shri Shyam Jagannathan, IAS - Director General of Shipping * Aishwarya Gupta Pilankar - Director at Nautical Marine Management Services | Sustainabiity Networking with Sofia Fürstenberg Stott – Founder & Partner, Fürstenberg Maritime Advisory | Above workshop continued |
| 13:10 IST | Power Lunch Break by Nautical Marine Management Services | ||
| 14:00 IST | She Can Sail the Sea Initiative | ||
| 14:05 IST | Maritime Sustainability – Strategic Opportunity & Planetary Risk with Sofia Fürstenberg Stott – Founder & Partner, Fürstenberg Maritime Advisory | Workshop: Dealing with Imposter Syndrome with Mônica Zionede Hall – Founder and CEO, Feliz Consulting 02:10 PM - 03:10 PM [Registrations Open] | 02:05 PM - 3:05 PM Workshop to be announced. Registrations opening soon [Registrations Open] |
| 14:15 IST | Panel: Recruitment Without Bias – Transforming HR * Jennifer Leaman – Director HR, Seaspan Ship Management * Simon Grainge - Chief Executive, International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) * Moderator: Namrata Nadkarni – CEO & Founder, Intent Communications | ||
| 14:55 IST | Individual Talk / Presentation | ||
| 15:05 IST | Special Speech by MOL | ||
| 15:10 IST | Panel: Boardroom Diversity – Where Are We Now? * Chris Hall – Managing Director, SCB Management Consulting Services, Ltd. * Karen Avelino – Senior Vice President of Cruise Operations, Philippine Transmarine Carriers, Inc. * Jillian CarsonJackson – Managing Director, JCJ Consulting * Ritesh S. Ramakrishnan – Joint Managing Director, Transworld Group * Moderator: Anette Holte – Country Manager India, Kongsberg Maritime | Workshop: Presenting with Impact: Voice, Presence & Persuasion for Leaders by Dr. Joanna Eugenia Bakouni (Maersk Training) 03:15 PM - 04:15 PM [Registrations Open] | 03:10 PM - 04:10 PM Workshop to be announced soon |
| 16:00 IST | Tea Break | ||
| 16:20 IST | First and Only - On Supportive Partners: Rina Sundar interviews Sanjam Sahi Gupta & Vikram Gupta | ||
| 16:40 IST | Leadership Across Frontlines: From Science to Policy * Nicole Van Sponson – Senior Researcher, MARIN * Suneeti Bala - Co-founder & Chief Engineer, International Women Seafarers Foundation (IWSF) * Nathasha Egodage - Chief Purpose Officer, Ceyline Group * Rubal Bansal - Director & CEO, Bansal Group * Moderated by: Aditi Maheshwari - Principal Associate at Renata Partners | The Perimenopause Reset: Energy, Clarity & Confidence for Midlife" - RetreatStyle Session (Women 38+) with Torild Boe Stokes – CoFounder, Your Health. Our Wealth. 4:40 PM - 5:40 PM Registrations opening soon | 4:40 PM - 5:40 PM Workshop to be announced. Registrations opening soon |
| 17:10 IST | CEO Roundtable: Leadership for Growth * Danae Bezantakou - CEO of Navigator Shipping Consultants * Capt . Deepak Correa - COO, Fleet Management India Operations * Moderator: Namrata Nadkarni – CEO & Founder, Intent Communications | The Perimenopause Reset: Energy, Clarity & Confidence for Midlife" - RetreatStyle Session (Women 38+) with Torild Boe Stokes – CoFounder, Your Health. Our Wealth. 4:40 PM - 5:40 PM Registrations opening soon | 4:40 PM - 5:40 PM Workshop to be announced. Registrations opening soon |
| 17:50 IST | Networking Break | ||
| 18:00 IST | Raffle Draw | Awards Ceremony | Closing Remarks | ||
| 19:30 IST | Cocktail & Dinner |
Day 3 – October 30, 2025
ANCHOR
| Time | Session Title | Speakers |
|---|---|---|
| 09:30 IST | Registrations | |
| 10:00 IST | Welcome Note by Maritime SheEO Founder Sanjam Sahi Gupta | |
| 10:10 IST | Keynote Speeches | Speakers TBA |
| 10:15 IST | Keynote Speech | Speakers TBA |
| 10:30 IST | Panel: Dispute Avoidance and Resolution in International Shipping Contracts | Speakers TBA |
| 11:30 IST | Tea Break | |
| 11:45 IST | Fireside chat: Insurance, Liability, and Environmental Exposure in Global Trade | Speakers TBA |
| 12:15 IST | Panel: Legal Risk in an Era of Sanctions, ESG mandates, and Regulatory Flux | Speakers TBA |
| 13:15 IST | Lunch Break | |
| 14:15 IST | Speech | Speakers TBA |
| 14:30 IST | Fireside chat: Criminalization of Seafarers: Challenges, Cases, and Legal Remedies | Speakers TBA |
| 15:00 IST | Panel: Ship Recycling, Shipbuilding and Repair: Evolving Legal Frameworks | Speakers TBA |
| 16:00 IST | Tea Break | |
| 16:15 IST | Panel: Case studies and roundtables with senior GCs, arbitrators, judges, and enforcement officials | Speakers TBA |
| 17:15 IST | Closing Speech |
