New HFW report reveals London continues its lead in maritime arbitration despite globalisation trend

London continues to be the leading hub for maritime dispute resolution, amidst an emergence of other jurisdictions as attractive alternatives, according to a new report from global law firm HFW.

This year’s report, titled ‘Charting the Leaders and Challengers in Global Maritime Arbitration – London Leads, Asia Surges, and New Hubs Emerge’, is the sixth edition of the firm's annual Maritime Arbitration in Numbers report - a high level analysis of global maritime arbitration activity based on data either self-published or provided to the firm upon request.

The data reveals that London continues to hold its long-standing position as the most popular jurisdiction for maritime arbitration, recording approximately 1818 new maritime arbitrations in 2024, indicating a 7% decline from 2023's figures.

Despite London's ongoing success, this year's findings reflect a growing trend towards globalisation of maritime arbitration – with expansion seen across Asia and the growth of arbitration hubs in the Middle East and the USA.

Based on new data from the Singapore International Arbitration Centre and the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration, the latter of which having reported a 73% increase in cases since 2023, this growth reinforces Singapore as the primary alternative venue for Asia-focused maritime disputes, closely followed by Hong Kong.

The data also highlights the expanding arbitration influence of China and Dubai, with expansion also being seen in the USA – with rising activity linked to offshore wind disputes, indicating steady sector expansion.

The report is based on the firm's widest survey of arbitration data to date – derived from published reports and statistical data in addition to 19 responses across 29 arbitral bodies in 18 jurisdictions, providing a broad and detailed analysis of recent maritime arbitration trends.

Paul Dean, Partner, HFW, says: "At HFW, we believe that data-driven insights offer a unique opportunity to understand the evolving landscape of maritime arbitration. This report is the product of extensive collaboration across our global network, drawing on data from nearly 30 arbitral bodies worldwide to showcase the landscape of international arbitration in the shipping sector.

“As global trade patterns evolve and parties seek efficiency and neutrality, the key developments we've seen this year – from the remarkable expansion of activity across Asia to the growth of traditionally smaller hubs - will continue to shape the future of maritime arbitration."

The full Arbitration in Numbers 2025 report can be accessed here: Maritime Arbitration in Numbers: London Leads, Asia Surges, and New Hubs Emerge | HFW