Haiwen Secures Significant Maritime Arbitration Victory

海问律师事务所欣然宣布，在一个香港海事仲裁案件中成功代表一家加拿大托运人取得了具有里程碑意义的胜利。本次仲裁围绕提单及相关租约条款展开，涉及违约、船舶不适航以及货物延迟交付的索赔。

Haiwen & Partners is pleased to announce a landmark victory in a maritime arbitration seated in Hong Kong, where the firm successfully represented a Canadian shipper in a high-value dispute. The arbitration arose under a bill of lading and related charterparty terms and involved claims for breach of contract, unseaworthiness, and delay in cargo delivery.

在这场完胜中，由伦敦与香港两地资深海事仲裁员组成的仲裁庭作出终局裁决，全额支持托运人超过200万美元的索赔请求。

In a resounding victory, the arbitral tribunal, comprised of two highly experienced maritime arbitrators respectively from London and Hong Kong, issued a final award in favour of the shipper's claim for more than USD2 million.

本案裁决的最大亮点在于，仲裁庭驳回了承运人依据《海牙 - 维斯比规则》提出的责任限制抗辩。这一裁决具有里程碑意义，一举突破了通常为承运人提供责任保护的法律屏障。仲裁庭采纳了海问的核心主张，认定承运人存在明知可能造成损害仍轻率作为的情形。这一认定标准极为严格且罕见，而海问团队凭借专业能力成功举证证明了该事实。

A key highlight of the award was the tribunal's decision to preclude the carrier from relying on its limitation of liability defenses under the Hague-Visby Rules. This outcome represents a landmark achievement, overcoming statutory protections that typically shield carriers from full liability. The tribunal accepted Haiwen's argument that the carrier’s conduct was reckless and undertaken with knowledge that damage would likely result—a rare and stringent standard successfully proven by the Haiwen team.

海问律师事务所香港办公室合伙人刘洋律师表示：“此次裁决充分维护了客户的合法权益，同时在海事仲裁领域树立了重要先例。仲裁庭拒绝承运人责任限制的裁定，再次凸显了缜密的案件准备、扎实的证据链与严谨的法律代理的关键价值，也向航运界明确传递了承运人必须恪尽职守的信号。”

 “This award fully vindicates our client’s position and marks a significant precedent in maritime arbitration,” said Edward Liu, Partner at Haiwen & Partners LLP. “The tribunal’s decision to reject the carrier’s reliance on liability limitations highlights the importance of meticulous preparation, compelling evidence, and robust legal advocacy. It also sends a strong message to carriers about their obligations to act diligently and responsibly.”

他进一步补充：“这一成果彰显了海问争议解决团队的专业实力，也印证了我们始终为客户争取最优结果的坚定决心。能与卓越的同事并肩协作，我深感荣幸 —— 他们的敬业精神与专业素养在本案中发挥了至关重要的作用。”

“This outcome reflects the strength of our dispute resolution team and our unwavering commitment to achieving the best possible results for our clients,” Liu added. “It was a privilege to work alongside my exceptional colleagues, whose dedication and expertise were instrumental in securing this significant result.”

本案依据《香港海事仲裁协会规则》进行仲裁，适用英国法。案件涉及租约条款适用、因果关系认定、减损义务履行及《海牙 - 维斯比规则》下抗辩的适用性等一系列复杂的程序与实体问题，海问通过战略性的争议解决策略有效应对了各项挑战。

Conducted under the HKMAG Terms and governed by English law, the arbitration required strategic handling of intricate procedural and substantive issues. These included the incorporation of charterparty terms, causation, mitigation of damages, and the defenses under the Hague-Visby Rules.

此次仲裁裁决再次印证，在国际货物运输争议中，经验丰富的法律顾问对于妥善处理船舶适航、航程义务履行及责任限制等专业问题、切实维护客户权益具有不可替代的作用。

The arbitral award also underscores the critical role of experienced legal counsel in navigating the complexities of international carriage disputes, particularly where issues such as seaworthiness, voyage obligations, and liability limitations are at stake.

此次胜诉进一步巩固了海问在海事诉讼与仲裁领域的领先地位，充分彰显了其在全球高风险争议解决中为客户提供卓越法律服务的能力。

This victory reinforces Haiwen & Partners LLP’s position as a leading international law firm in maritime litigation and arbitration, delivering exceptional results for clients in high-stakes disputes worldwide.

本案由海问香港办公室合伙人刘洋律师领导，吴华佳高级律师和黎淇瀚律师为主要承办人。

The case was led by Edward Liu, with key support from Lori Ng (Senior Associate) and Aaron Lai (Associate) .

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