Wah Kwong

About Us

Who We Are

Wah Kwong Maritime Transport is a family-owned integrated shipping company based in Hong Kong, with offices in Shenzhen, London and Genoa. For 73 years, we have been investing in, owning and operating shipping assets through market cycles. Wah Kwong currently has three main business streams—ship owning, ship management and dry bulk operating, combining a proud ship owning heritage with a modern, forward-thinking approach, serving our customers and partners in China, Asia and Europe.

Our History

Established in Hong Kong in 1952 by T.Y. Chao, Wah Kwong grew from small beginnings carrying bulk cargoes within Asia to becoming a respected global shipping company now managed by the third generation of the Chao family.

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72-year track record of first-class martime transport services to customers worldwide

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Built and delivered in excess of 200 newbuldings in China, Japan and Korea since the 1960s

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A mix of in-house and third-party tonnage covering 6 Oil tankers (VLCC, Aframax Tanker), Gas Carriers (VLGC, LPG and LNG), Bulk Carriers (Capesize, Kamsarmax, Ultramax, Handysize etc), Containerships, Tugs and Yachts

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Over 80 vessels in managed fleet

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We have a predominantly Chinese-based crewing pool with multinationals including Indian, Filipino, Subcontinental and European officers

Key Figures

3.67M

Owned and long term chartered ships of 35, including VLCCs, Aframax Tankers, Bulk Carriers of various sizes, representing 3.67m DWT on water

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20 newbuilding projects in progress including LNGs and various types of bulk carriers, looked after by 4 experienced onsite teams

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Collaborating with 11 government, academia institutions and corporates in nurturing crewing talents

The Wah Kwong Journey

1949

1952

1957

1960s

1966

1973

1982

1994

1995-1997

1996

1999

2013

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

1949

First partnership by the Chao family with Taiship and Ping An Steamship

1952

Wah Kwong founded in Hong Kong

1957

Wah Kwong became a founding member of the HKSOA. Mr. T.Y. Chao led first delegation to Taiwan and met with Chiang Kai-Shek

1960s

Started building ships in Japan. “New Venture” delivered in 1966

1966

George Chao joined the company working with father T.Y. Chao and elder brother Frank Chao

1973

Wah Kwong Shipping and Investment Company Listed in Hong Kong

1982

Hitachi Venture – largest bulk carrier ever built at the time delivered

1994

First New-building in China: 44,000 DWT Product Tanker by Dalian Shipyard

1995-1997

George Chao became Chairman of HKSOA and headed flag issue negotiations between Hong Kong and Taiwan

1996

Wah Kwong’s first gas tanker Antwerpen Venture delivered

1999

Wah Kwong privatised

2013

Sabrina Chao became Executive Chairman

2018

Wah Kwong enters the Kamsarmax market

2019

Hing Chao became Executive Chairman and re-organised Wah Kwong’s business activities into shipowning and asset management divisions

2020

Wah Kwong rolled out its first sustainability policy, including scope one and scope two carbon offset
Wah Kwong’s Shenzhen office opens

2021

Ship Management added containers to its managed fleet
First ESG report with voluntary disclosures

2022

Wah Kwong London Office Open
70th Anniversary celebration
Took over the largest LNG bunkering vessel and the first in China

2023

Took over China’s first methanol bunkering vessel
First series of mid-sized bulkers equipped with smart shipping system
First vessel in the world with Bureau Veritas’ smart ship notation [SMART(EnE1)]
Acquired Crystal Pool Srl in Italy
Signed 2+2 175,000m3 LNG vessels newbuilding and leasing contracts

2024

Established Venture Ship Management Europe in Italy, adding tug and yacht to its managed fleet
Established Venture Shipping Limited and Venture Marine Services Limited
Wah Kwong shipowning enters the LR2 product tanker market