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
