In a landmark achievement for Sri Lanka’s maritime industry, Ms. Maleena Awn, Director Operations at Meridian Maritime Services Ltd., has been named to the prestigious “10 Women to Watch in 2025” global list—becoming the first Sri Lankan to receive this distinguished international honour.
The accolade, presented at Nor-Shipping 2025 in Oslo, celebrates ten outstanding women under the age of 35 from around the world who are shaping the future of the maritime and logistics sectors through leadership, innovation, and meaningful impact.
Ms. Awn has long been recognized for her trailblazing leadership. She is the first female Chairperson of YoungShip Sri Lanka and the first Sri Lankan appointed to the board of YoungShip International. She currently serves as Vice Chair of WISTA Sri Lanka, further cementing her role as a leading voice for gender equality in the maritime industry.
Maleena has been a committed advocate for raising awareness and encouraging early engagement in the maritime sector within secondary schools and universities, with the aim of inspiring the next generation to explore careers in shipping, logistics, and related fields. Her continued efforts are instrumental in bridging the gap between academia and industry, helping to cultivate a knowledgeable and future-ready workforce.
In partnership with her company, Meridian Maritime Services Ltd, Ms. Awn has championed several community-driven initiatives aimed at advancing child education and empowering young women across Sri Lanka. Their efforts focus on the enhancement and development of educational infrastructure, including upgrades to existing school facilities, the provision of cutting-edge IT equipment, and improvements in access to clean drinking water in underdeveloped areas. Under her leadership, YoungShip Sri Lanka advanced menstrual health and dignity by improving access to dedicated sanitary facilities, delivering targeted education, and providing ongoing support for young girls and communities.
An alumna of Ladies’ College, Colombo, and the University of St Andrews, Scotland, with a degree in Economics, Ms. Awn also holds an MSc in International Transport and Maritime Policy from Cardiff University, UK. She was the winner of the Yusen Award in 2016 and the recipient of the Sir Julian Hodge Prize for Maritime Studies and International Transport in 2017. She has also received global recognition from both the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), earning accolades in Logistics and Multimodal Transport.
Her professional experience spans key roles within the Wilhelmsen Group in Sri Lanka, as well as international placements in the UAE, Singapore, and Norway. Beyond her professional achievements, Ms. Awn is a South Asian gold medalist in sailing and a former national golfer, embodying excellence both on and off the field.
“This recognition is deeply humbling,” said Ms. Awn. “It represents not only a personal milestone but also reflects Sri Lanka’s growing voice in the global maritime arena. I hope this inspires young women across the island to pursue bold and transformative careers in the shipping industry.”
