Meetings with London Maritime Arbitrators' Association, UK Chamber of Shipping and Admiralty Court

Mayor vows to develop talent and elevate Busan into a global maritime hub

London Maritime Arbitrators' Association President Jonathan Elvey (left) and Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo [Busan city government]
London Maritime Arbitrators' Association President Jonathan Elvey (left) and Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo [Busan city government]

Busan Mayor Jeon Jae-soo visited London on Thursday (local time) to meet with leading institutions in maritime arbitration, the shipping industry and maritime law, discussing avenues for international cooperation with the British hub of global maritime services.

Jeon called on the London Maritime Arbitrators' Association (LMAA), where he met President Jonathan Elvey and other officials to propose expanded cooperation in international maritime arbitration. Founded in 1960, the LMAA is a professional body of maritime arbitrators that has built expertise and credibility in resolving international maritime disputes.

Jeon examined London's operational experience in maritime arbitration and its framework for training specialist personnel, and proposed a range of cooperative initiatives — including international conferences linked to regional bodies such as Busan's Asia-Pacific Maritime Arbitration Center, an MOU to sustain ongoing exchanges, and mock arbitration sessions to strengthen practical skills.

Jeon then visited the UK Chamber of Shipping, where he met President Karrie Trauth and CEO Rhett Hatcher to discuss the green and digital transition of the shipping industry, the development of global maritime professionals, and ongoing cooperation. The UK Chamber of Shipping is the industry association representing British shipping interests, working to consolidate industry views and advance policy cooperation on competitiveness, the green transition and responses to international regulation.

Jeon stressed that "cooperation between Busan and the British shipping industry is essential to respond to a changing maritime environment — covering eco-friendly ship fuel supply, digital vessel management and ship maintenance." He proposed talent-development measures including industry exchanges through expos between Busan's shipping and port companies and their British counterparts, as well as educational cooperation through internships between local universities and British shipping firms.

Jeon also visited the Admiralty Court, where he met Admiralty Judge Andrew Baker, Commercial Court Judge David Waksman and other officials to share experiences in operating a specialized maritime court and explore ways to support the successful launch and early establishment of Busan's International Maritime and Commercial Court. The Admiralty Court handles specialized maritime disputes — including ship collisions, salvage, cargo transport and ship-related bonds — and plays a central role in resolving international maritime disputes, drawing on a long-accumulated body of case law and specialist personnel.

"Building on Busan's world-class port competitiveness, we will strengthen our maritime court, maritime arbitration and specialist shipping services, and develop the professional talent needed to elevate Busan into a global maritime city," Jeon said.


kaf2002@heraldcorp.com