The founder of Wah Kwong, T.Y.Chao, graduated from Soochow University, Shanghai in 1934 with a law degree. Instead of persuing a legal career, he became a comprador in a reputed trading firm in Shanghai. T.Y. Chao’s first venture into shipping comprised a 50 per cent ownership of the 6,000dwt cargo ship ‘KWOK SING’ which transported coal on the Chinese coast.

In 1948, the outbreak of the civil war in China saw T.Y.Chao leave Shanghai accompanied by his family aboard the ‘KWOK SING’ and sail for Hong Kong. Encouraged by his initial foray into shipping, T.Y. established a new shipping company with two other partners which thrived and in 1952 allowed the partners to amicably divide the business and T.Y. then established Wah Kwong.

In the mid 1960’s, T.Y.Chao’s eldest son Frank and youngest son George joined the company. Frank’s background with a degree in marine engineering saw him focus on the technical aspects of the business, whilst George focused on the commercial and financial aspects and building up the strong relationships the company maintains today with their business partners around the world.

Whilst Frank Chao retired in 1999, George has continued at the helm of the company, maintaining the company’s prominence in the Hong Kong shipping community as well as fulfilling a number of roles in important shipping bodies such as Bureau Veritas and the Asian Shipowners Forum Insurance committee. In 2002, Wah Kwong welcomed the third generation of the Chao family into the business with Sabrina Chao, George's eldest daughter, joining the company and in 2007 being appointed Vice Chairman of Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Holdings with George Chao as Chairman.