About Us

Who We Are

For seven decades, Wah Kwong has been involved in global shipping. As one of Hong Kong’s leading privately owned shipowners, we own and operate a diversified fleet of ships in addition to offering a full range of technical and commercial management services to our customers and partners.

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
2016
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
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
2016
George Chao passed away, aged 76. Sabrina became Chairman of the HKSOA
2018
Sabrina received CMA Commodore Award
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
2021
Ex-chairman Sabrina Chao elected BIMCO President
2022
Wah Kwong London Office Open
70th Anniversary
Took over management of China’s first LNG bunkering vessel
2023
Acquired Crystal Pool Srl in Italy Signed 2+2 175,000m3 LNG vessels newbuilding and leasing contract management of China’s first methanol bunkering

Our Team

Our Management Team

Hing Chao Executive Chairman
William Fairclough Managing Director
J.F. Zhou Managing Director
Cecile Lee Chief Financial Officer
C.Z. Chen Commercial Director
X.X. Zhang General Manager,
Ship Management
Biju Narayanan Deputy General Manager,
Ship Management
Hare Ram Sah General Manager, Marine Services (Newbuilding and Consultancy)

Our Board

Ludwig Criel Non-executive Director
Nicholas Sibley Non-executive Director
Gary Weston Non-executive Director
Hing Chao Executive Director
William Fairclough Executive Director
J.F. Zhou Executive Director
Cecile Lee Executive Director