International law firm HFW’s latest report on maritime arbitration (Maritime Arbitration in Numbers) estimates that the Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group (HKMAG) maintained its through 2024/2025, reporting 144 appointments in 2025 compared to 146 appointments in 2024. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) registered approximately 77 cases that were maritime in nature.
With maritime cases accounting for 19.9% of the total workload, the HKIAC statistics show a marked increase compared to previous years. Maritime disputes accounted for 12% of registered cases in 2014 and 16% in 2023. The 2025 figures represent the both the highest number of estimated maritime arbitrations, and the highest maritime share of the HKIAC’s overall caseload in recent years.
The combined volume of HKIAC maritime arbitrations and HKMAG appointments indicate an upward trajectory over the past five years, increasing from 142 in 2021 to 221 in 2015, or growth of 56%. The report cites Hong Kong’s position as the leading arbitral seat for PRC-related disputes and the unique existence of the Arrangement Concerning Mutual Assistance in Court-ordered Interim Measures, enabling parties in eligible Hong Kong-seated arbitrations to seek asset preservation and other interim relief from PRC courts.
Bill Amos a leading arbitrator based in Hong Kong noted:
“What jumps out from HFW’s report is the 56% growth of Hong Kong maritime arbitration over the past 5 years. The combined volume of HKIAC maritime arbitrations and HKMAG appointments shows a clear upward trajectory, rising from 142 in 2021 to 221 in 2025. That is a significant trend, and reflects the promotional efforts of HKMAG and HKIAC in the region. If the first 5-year Plan for the HKSAR includes the promotion of maritime arbitration, and in particular the resourcing of HKMAG, then this growth is sure to continue. In the immediate future we will of course have HK’s Arbitration Week and Maritime Week in October and November which will feature events supported by HKMAG and devoted to maritime arbitration.”
However, London remains the unscalable mountain, with the London maritime Arbitrators Association reporting approximately 2,015 new individual maritime references in 2025, representing a 16% year-on-year increase from 2024 and a 9% increase compared with 2023. Total appointments also increased, reaching 3,469 in 2025; a 15% increase from 2024 and a 6% increase over the two-year period since 2023.