Geopolitical turmoil spawns rising maritime legal disputes
- US-China trade tensions trigger shipbuilding cost disputes and expected legal conflicts from new port fees targeting Chinese vessels
- Red Sea crisis creates charter disputes as masters refuse unsafe routes, with charterers arguing Hong Kong flags provide diplomatic immunity
- Russia sanctions force difficult choices between contractual obligations and compliance, driving Russian parties to shift arbitration from London to Hong Kong
Geopolitical disputes are bringing to the surface complex contractual battles over trade tariffs, security risks at sea, and the mounting weight of international sanctions
