Decarbonisation, digitalisation, shifting patterns of global trade and an increasing level of influence from Asia are continuing to reshape the shipping, logistics and trading sectors. With this year’s WISTA International AGM and Conference taking place in Kuala Lumpur, the association’s president, Elpi Petraki, explains why there are important lessons to learn from the region as the challenges facing the industry demand more than new technologies and innovation: Asia’s changing maritime landscape As the world’s largest maritime market, Asia offers an extraordinary degree of maritime capabilities and specialities. It is home to the world’s leading shipbuilding nations, some of its largest ports, many major shipowners and a multitude of maritime service providers. Its financial centres are globally significant, while regional governments are powerhouse investors in decarbonisation, digitalisation and emerging technologies. According to Clarkson’s Research and United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD), China, the Republic of Korea and Japan accounted for 91% of ships completed globally in 2025. Meanwhile, Singapore retained its position as the world’s leading maritime centre for the 13th year running in the 2026 Xinhua-Baltic International Shipping Centre Development Index (ISCDI). And the Philippines remains the world’s largest supplier of STCW-certified seafarers, with approximately 460,147 active Filipino seafarers according to the 2026 BIMCO and International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) Seafarer Workforce Report. As such, Asia’s influence on international shipping is growing. Across the region, new technologies and operating models are being developed, tested and deployed, with innovation seen in digital twins, AI and autonomous vessels, and in alternative fuels and smart-port infrastructure. China, Japan, South Korea, and hubs such as Singapore, are also providing real-world environments for developers to move from concept to reality. While Hong Kong, Malaysia