London has strengthened its position as the world’s leading centre for maritime dispute resolution, while Singapore and Hong Kong continue to reinforce their status as the leading Asian arbitration hubs, according to a new report from global law firm HFW.
The latest data shows a strong rebound for London following a dip recorded in 2024, continued resilience in Singapore, and significant growth in Hong Kong’s maritime arbitration caseload.
In its seventh edition, HFW’s new report, Maritime Arbitration in Numbers: London Rebounds as Singapore and Hong Kong Maintain Momentum, provides a comparative analysis of maritime arbitration activity in London, Singapore and Hong Kong, based on the most recent statistics from the leading maritime arbitral bodies in those jurisdictions.
The report examines statistics from the principal maritime arbitration bodies in London, Singapore and Hong Kong recorded in 2025, providing a snapshot of where parties are choosing to resolve maritime disputes and how global arbitration trends are evolving.
The latest data reveals a significant rebound in London-based maritime arbitration, with the London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) recording 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. This is the highest annual reference figure recorded by the LMAA in more than a decade, reinforcing London’s position as the world’s most popular maritime arbitration centre.
While London remains comfortably ahead in maritime arbitration, the report highlights the continued strength of leading Asian arbitration hubs.
Singapore maintained the strong level of maritime arbitration activity achieved in recent years, with the Singapore International Arbitration Centre and Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration recording a combined 168 maritime arbitrations in 2025. The figures highlight Singapore’s position as the leading Asian alternative to London for maritime dispute resolution.
Hong Kong recorded notable growth, with maritime disputes accounting for almost 20% of all registered cases at the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre in 2025, while appointment volumes at the Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group stayed at near record levels.
While London remains the preferred venue for maritime arbitration globally, the findings highlight ongoing efforts across jurisdictions to enhance legal frameworks and arbitration offerings.
Paul Dean, partner and global head of shipping HFW, said: “This year’s data offers fresh insight into the evolution of the global maritime arbitration landscape. London’s strong rebound demonstrates the continuing confidence that the global shipping sector places in its legal framework and institutions, while the sustained activity levels in Singapore and the increasing prominence of Hong Kong highlight the growing appeal of arbitration across Asia.
“The statistics show that the market is responding to continued investment and reform across the leading arbitral jurisdictions, creating greater choice and helping to strengthen the global maritime arbitration landscape.
“As geopolitical conditions and trade disruption continue to generate complex disputes across the shipping sector, we expect demand for high-quality, experienced and internationally recognised dispute resolution forums to remain strong.”
