ICMA XXIII 2026 – the 23rd International Congress of Maritime Arbitrators – was held in Singapore from 22 to 27 March 2026, bringing together a distinguished community of arbitrators, practitioners, academics, and maritime experts from around the world. The Congress reaffirmed its status as a leading global forum for the exchange of knowledge, practical insights, and emerging trends in maritime arbitration and international trade law. It provided an important platform for professional dialogue and the advancement of best practices in the field.
Mr. Dang Viet Anh, Managing Partner of ANHISA LLC, attended the Congress together with the ANHISA team, actively engaging in its professional programs and discussions. ANHISA’s participation reflects its continued commitment to international integration and its growing presence within the global arbitration community. During the Congress, Mr. Dang Viet Anh delivered a substantive presentation that drew considerable attention from fellow practitioners and experts.
His presentation addressed a pressing issue in contemporary commercial practice: the validity of arbitration agreements in the context of fast-paced, electronically conducted transactions. Drawing on practical scenarios in maritime commerce, particularly bunker supply transactions, he examined whether silence, when coupled with contractual performance, may constitute valid consent to arbitration. The presentation also provided a comparative analysis of different legal approaches, contrasting formalistic requirements of explicit written consent with more pragmatic, context-driven interpretations that recognize conduct and established commercial practices. In doing so, he highlighted the gap between Vietnam’s legislative framework and judicial practice, as well as the potential risks faced by international parties.
From a practitioner’s perspective, Mr. Dang Viet Anh further noted recent legislative developments in Vietnam that signal a gradual shift toward a more arbitration-friendly environment. Nevertheless, he emphasized that meaningful progress will depend on the evolution of judicial interpretation, particularly toward a more flexible recognition of implied consent grounded in conduct and commercial context. Participation in ICMA XXIII not only enabled ANHISA to stay abreast of global developments, but also contributed to promoting Vietnamese perspectives within the international arbitration discourse.