West P&I has moved its Hong Kong operation to a larger office in Wan Chai, relocating its regional base that services Chinese and Vietnamese shipping accounts.
The club’s new office is on the 26th floor of Six Pacific Place, 50 Queen’s Road East, in Hong Kong’s Wan Chai commercial district. According to the club, the relocation adds space for underwriting, claims, and loss prevention teams working with members, brokers, and partners across Greater China and Southeast Asia. West has operated in Hong Kong since 1982 and uses the territory as its principal regional hub. Over that period, the club has developed one of the larger Chinese and Vietnamese books among International Group P&I clubs, with more than 1,800 vessels now entered from the region.
Tonnage written out of Hong Kong has increased to more than 70 million gross tonnes, the club said. Business placed through the Hong Kong office accounts for close to 40% of West’s total entered tonnage. The move to larger premises is aimed at supporting this regional portfolio, including resources for marine liability claims handling, regulatory and technical support, and risk management advice for owners and charterers operating in and from Asia.
West said the Hong Kong move forms part of its approach to concentrating resources in markets where it expects sustained member demand and long-term trading activity. The club positions Hong Kong as its main platform into mainland China and Vietnam and as a coordination point for wider Asian business. The relocation follows a period in which shipping has been affected by geopolitical tensions, shifting regulations, and volatile freight markets, adding complexity to operations for regional fleets. Against that backdrop, the larger office is meant to give the club more room for underwriting, claims handling, and loss prevention work within Asia. West also said the expanded site will support closer interaction with the local maritime community and with clients trading in regional shipping markets.
Xuanlun Cai, CEO of West in Hong Kong, said the move reflects the length of the club’s presence in the territory and the scale of its current book of business in the region. “Our presence in Hong Kong dates back over four decades, and the growth of both our Chinese and Vietnamese portfolio over that time has been significant. Today, this region is one of the most important markets for West globally,” Cai said. Cai added that staffing and capabilities in Hong Kong are expected to develop in line with business needs. “This expansion reflects both the scale of our operations in the region and our ambitions for the future. We plan to continue growing our Hong Kong team to ensure we deliver the high-quality service our members expect, while further strengthening our relationships across this region,” he said. According to the club, the enlarged Hong Kong base will also support work with the local maritime sector on loss prevention, incident response, and claims trends arising from Chinese and Vietnamese trades.
The office relocation follows West’s Feb. 20, 2026, renewal, where the club reported high member retention and an increase in entered tonnage across its mutual and fixed books. West said member retention was above 99.5% for the fourth consecutive year, including during the 2025/26 policy year, amid an environment of geopolitical risk, regulatory change, and shipping market volatility. Several new members joined on Feb. 20, 2026, as part of what the club described as a selective approach to new business across regions and sectors. Following the renewal, total mutual tonnage rose by about 12.5% to 121 million gross tonnes, according to West. Gross written premiums are forecast to exceed US$430 million in the 2026/27 policy year. The club also reported further development of its fixed and charterers’ portfolios, as well as growth in hull, war, loss of hire, and delay products.
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Bart Mertens, chief underwriting officer at West, said the outcome was in line with its underwriting approach and member response. “We are pleased with the outcome of the 20th February renewal, both in terms of retention and the quality of new business written. In a demanding environment for shipowners, these results reflect the discipline of our underwriting approach and the ongoing support of our members and brokers. I am grateful for their continued confidence in the club,” Mertens. West said it enters the 2026/27 policy year with a diversified portfolio and a focus on underwriting performance, claims management, and loss prevention, alongside additional products and services offered through its subsidiary Nordic.
