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Huxley cites ‘disagreement among senior management’ for his shock Wah Kwong departure

Tim Huxley has told Splash “a disagreement among senior management” was the reason for his surprise departure as ceo of Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Holdings.

Huxley, who had been with Wah Kwong for nearly nine years, quit the Hong Kong shipping line early last month and is now looking at other positions in the local shipping scene, as well as pushing his own vehicle, Mandarin Shipping, which he launched 10 years ago, having left brokers Clarkson.

Huxley described his decision to quit the Chao family controlled firm as “very sad”. He declined to elaborate on the specific disagreement, but said it did not involve Chao family members.

“The tall trees catch the most wind,” Huxley said, quoting a Dutch saying, explaining that his time at the line was always going to come to an end sooner or later.

“I am uncertain about what to do in longer term although we have great hopes for Mandarin Shipping,” Huxley said. Mandarin has a variety of well known backers including the Chaos, Caravel and China Navigation and has recently started taking delivery of a series of 1,700 teu ships from a yard in China.

Huxley appears keen for another shipping posting, as well as continuing to oversee the growth of Mandarin, telling Splash: “It is an opportunity for me. I hope there is some value of having 27 years experience in Asian shipping.”

In concluding, Huxley wished his former company well in the future. “Wah Kwong is 64 years old, it is still one of the strongest shipping names in Hong Kong. It has the right assets, staff and customers for when markets turn around.”

Sabrina Chao, chairman of Wah Kwong, did not reply to Splash inquiries.

Sam Chambers

Starting out with the Informa Group in 2000 in Hong Kong, Sam Chambers became editor of Maritime Asia magazine as well as East Asia Editor for the world’s oldest newspaper, Lloyd’s List. In 2005 he pursued a freelance career and wrote for a variety of titles including taking on the role of Asia Editor at Seatrade magazine and China correspondent for Supply Chain Asia. His work has also appeared in The Economist, The New York Times, The Sunday Times and The International Herald Tribune.

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