Haiwen achieves a highly favourable outcome for major bunker supplier in maritime arbitration

海问律师事务所欣然宣布，其香港争议解决团队代表一间大型燃油供应商，在一宗由香港国际仲裁中心（HKIAC）管理、以香港为仲裁地的海事仲裁中，成功取得极为有利的和解结果，为客户实现了高效且成本可控的争议解决方案。

Haiwen & Partners is pleased to announce that its Hong Kong dispute resolution team has achieved a highly favourable settlement for a major bunker supplier in a Hong Kong-seated arbitration administered by the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC). The resolution delivered a swift and cost-effective outcome for the client.

该案的争议源于买家取消燃油供应订单，从而触发合同项下的取消费用条款。该买家亦为业内知名的国际燃油供应商，试图以供应商在另一份燃油供应合同下 allegedly 存在的违约行为为由，拒绝支付取消费用，并主张该费用条款构成惩罚性条款。

The dispute arose from the purchaser’s cancellation of bunker supply orders, which triggered a contractual cancellation fee. The purchaser, which is a well-known international bunker supplier, sought to avoid payment by alleging breaches by the supplier under a separate bunker supply contract and arguing that the cancellation fee constituted a penalty.

仲裁根据《2024年HKIAC管理仲裁规则》下的简易程序进行，有效加快了案件进程。在仅完成交换状书阶段后，买家即同意以支付大部分索赔金额、利息及供应商的法律费用为条件达成和解。

The arbitration was conducted under the expedited procedure of the 2024 HKIAC Administered Arbitration Rules, which ensured a streamlined and efficient process. Following the exchange of pleadings, the purchaser agreed to settle the dispute by paying the majority of the claimed sum together with interest and the supplier’s legal costs.

本案的一大亮点在于其高效的程序安排——双方在约一个月内完成全部书状交换，并在提交证人陈述前即成功和解，充分体现了仲裁在处理事实争议较为简单的商事及海事纠纷中的灵活性与高效性。

A notable feature of the case was its procedural efficiency: the parties completed the pleadings within approximately one month and reached settlement even before exchanging witness statements. This underscores the flexibility and effectiveness of arbitration in addressing factually straightforward commercial and maritime disputes.

海问香港办公室合伙人刘洋律师表示：“这一早期和解充分展示了仲裁作为高效快捷争议解决机制的优势，尤其适用于事实争议较少的案件。这种效率进一步凸显了香港作为国际海事仲裁中心的领先地位和持续吸引力。”

“The early settlement showcases arbitration’s strength as an efficient and expeditious dispute resolution mechanism, especially for cases involving limited factual issues,” said Edward Liu, Partner at Haiwen & Partners LLP. “Such efficiency further reinforces Hong Kong’s position and appeal as a leading international maritime arbitration centre.”

他进一步补充：“我们非常高兴能够在仲裁初期即为客户争取到如此有利的结果。这一成果再次印证了海问香港争议解决项目组在为客户制定精准、高效策略并在重大商事及海事争议中取得卓越成果方面的实力与优势。”

“We are delighted to have achieved such a favourable outcome at an early stage,” Liu added. “This result highlights the Haiwen dispute resolution team’s ability to craft targeted, efficient strategies and deliver outstanding results for clients in high-value commercial and maritime disputes.”

本案由海问香港办公室合伙人刘洋律师牵头，黎淇瀚律师及雷卫颐实习律师为主要承办人。

The case was led by Edward Liu, with key support from Aaron Lai (Associate) and Winnie Lui (Trainee Solicitor).