IMO honors Eleni Polychronopoulou for empowering women in maritime

Eleni Polychronopoulou

Eleni Polychronopoulou, president of ERMA Tech Group, was recently recognized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for her contribution to advancing gender equality in the global maritime sector, receiving a Letter of Commendation as part of the prestigious IMO Gender Equality Award framework.

Polychronopoulou also serves as president of HEMEXPO (Hellenic Marine Equipment Manufacturers & Exporters) and vice chair of SEA Europe, the Shipyards’ and Maritime Equipment Association of Europe, while leading a group of companies uniting ERMA FIRST, EPE Systems Division, RWO, Ecochlor, HASYTEC, Metis, STEELMAXenergy, as well as affiliated companies and strategic partnerships, redefining maritime energy efficiency through integrated technologies designed to deliver measurable performance results for vessels worldwide. Through her roles across the maritime technology sector, she has consistently advocated for greater diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunities within shipping and marine engineering.

Greece submitted the nomination of Polychronopoulou to IMO for the IMO Gender Equality Award 2026, in recognition of her long-standing contribution to advancing gender equality in the maritime industry. In particular, the Assessment Panel highlighted her success in recruiting women into technical and engineering-focused positions, as well as her contribution to raising the visibility and representation of women with marine engineering backgrounds across the maritime technology sector.

“The maritime industry becomes stronger when it opens its doors wider to talent, diversity, and equal opportunity,” said Polychronopoulou. “Seeing more women entering technical and engineering roles is one of the most encouraging developments for the future of shipping. I hope this recognition will inspire even more young women to pursue careers in maritime technology, engineering, and innovation”.

The IMO Gender Equality Award for 2026 was presented to Japanese maritime academic and former seafarer Professor Momoko Kitada, while seven distinguished nominees worldwide received Letters of Commendation for their significant contributions to advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women in the maritime sector. The award was presented during the official ceremony held at IMO headquarters in London on May 18, 2026, marking the International Day for Women in Maritime.

Established by the IMO Council in 2022, the IMO Gender Equality Award accords international recognition to individuals who, either in their personal capacity or as representatives of their respective institutions, have made significant contributions to advancing gender equality and empowering women in maritime. The Award forms part of the IMO’s broader Women in Maritime Programme, originally launched in 1988, which aims to promote a fair, inclusive, and barrier-free maritime sector for all.

The nominations for the 2026 Award were assessed by a distinguished panel chaired by IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, alongside representatives from IMO Member States participating in the IMOGENder Network, WISTA International, Cruise Lines International Association, and the Chair of the IMO Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response.