Chapter 311: The Response of the Shipping Kings
Chapter 311: The Response of the Shipping Kings
Pedder Street, Central, next to a newsstand:
A man rode a bicycle to the door of the newsstand. After casually glancing at the newspapers in front of the newsstand, he was attracted by the title of one of the newspapers.
It was because there was a title on it saying $50, and he even counted it twice to confirm whether he had counted it wrong.
"Boss, give me this Oriental Daily." The man said loudly without any hesitation.
A copy of Oriental Daily News costs only 3 cents, making it one of the cheapest newspapers in Hong Kong today. However, its quality is no less than those that cost or cents, and its content is also very exciting.
In particular, the special edition about the daily stories of Hong Kong society is loved by many people. It is also because of Oriental Daily that many people know some small things happening in various parts of Hong Kong, unlike other newspapers which only know how to report some international events.
The newspaper owner said, "Okay."
After taking the newspaper, the man changed his seat and started reading it in the sunshine. The winter in Hong Kong is not cold and it is very comfortable to bask in the sun.
“2艘12万吨大型油轮，5艘5万多吨的中型油轮，还有3艘5万吨的散装货轮，总计60万吨！”
Seeing this number, the man was delighted because he was a student of the Drunk Bay Maritime Academy in Kwai Chung. If the boss behind his academy expanded its scale in this way, wouldn’t his and others’ employment be more secure in the future?
Such a huge investment also demonstrates the financial strength of the boss behind the scenes, which is also a good thing for them.
For ordinary people who don't have much ambition, if they follow the right boss who has a good opponent and has smooth development, their life will be very stable.
Continue reading the middle part of the article, which contains various data analyzing the size of several shipping companies in Hong Kong, including both British and Chinese companies.
Among them, the strongest British companies are Jardine Matheson, Wheelock and Swire. The shipping tonnage of the three companies is all over 300 million tons. However, the specific data is not very detailed because these British groups do not register all their ships in Hong Kong, and many of them have cross-holdings in various branches, so it is impossible to find out clearly. 300 million is just an estimate.
Among the Chinese companies, Dong Haoyun has the largest scale, with a tonnage of nearly 200 million tons, while Zhao Congyan and Cao Wenjin are roughly between 120 million and 150 million.
Yang Wendong, a rising star, previously had a tonnage of nearly 90 tons. Including the new ship ordered this time, it has directly reached the 150 million tons level, ranking among the top three among Chinese shipping giants.
And the most important thing is that too many of Yang Wendong’s previous ships were old ships, accounting for almost 85% of the total size. This was criticized, and some people even intended to "ridicule" him. But this time, the 60-ton new ship directly reduced the ratio of old ships to almost 50% at one time.
This ratio is considered normal among Chinese and even British shipping companies. As long as they continue to acquire new ships in the future, the entire company will enter a relatively healthy mode.
At the end of the article, some other shipping companies are also introduced, such as Global Shipping, which is close to a million tons in scale and is a rising star in Hong Kong's shipping industry.
"I have to go back quickly." The man thought to himself, "But the college must have also got the newspaper."
Admiralty:
Dong Haoyun, with a solemn face, immediately said to his subordinates after reading the newspaper: "Spread the news to me, I also want to purchase more large tankers and cargo ships."
"Father, wait a minute." Dong Jiancheng said quickly, "The shipbuilding business in Japan is already quite tight. Now Yang Wendong has placed an order for 10 large ships. If we follow suit and place an order, the shipyard will be tight and the shipbuilding company will definitely raise the price. This will definitely not be economically profitable for us."
Even though Japan's shipbuilding industry is already number one in the world, the number of shipyards is limited. When there are more free docks, you can negotiate orders and you will definitely get discounts. Otherwise, if others don't rip you off, wouldn't that make you an unqualified capitalist?
After Dong Jiancheng heard this, his expression eased a little, and he asked again: "Hasn't there been any rumors about this before?"
A manager said cautiously: "Mr. Dong, we did know that Zheng Yuhua and several executives of Changxing Shipping went to Japan and visited many shipyards;
But we thought it would just be an ordinary purchase, and no one could have imagined that they would actually buy a 60-ton ship at one time.”
Dong Jiancheng also said: "Yes, father, I also know a little bit. According to common logic, they should only buy a few ships with a tonnage of 100,000 tons.
This tonnage is beyond everyone's expectations, after all, Changxing Shipping has no experience in oil transportation before."
The manager who had just spoken quickly cast a grateful look towards Dong Jiancheng. He was obviously a second-generation son, which reduced his responsibility. Although the responsibility was not his, it was usually difficult to explain himself in front of the boss.
Dong Jiancheng thought for a moment and said, "We really had no experience at that time. There weren't many crew members in Hong Kong who had ever driven a 10-ton tanker. But now there are too many. Changxing Shipping can definitely poach people.
Besides, there are still about two years before the ship is delivered. With so much time, it is not a problem to poach people or send them to Japanese shipping companies for training. With such a large order, Japanese shipbuilding companies will definitely be willing to help."
"Father's analysis is correct." Dong Jiancheng nodded and said, "Also, Changxing Shipping now has six old 6-ton tankers. They are now transporting water between Hong Kong and the mainland every day. This can also train many sailors, and there is no risk."
Tung Chao Yung said, "Yes, he was so desperate to buy old ships at first, and no one understood it. It was only half a year ago that we realized that he was considering transporting water to Hong Kong. I have to say, I admire him too."
"Yeah, I have to admit it." Dong Jiancheng also agreed. Others at the scene didn't say anything, but they all had similar thoughts in their minds.
They cannot be heroes, but that does not stop them from admiring heroes. This is an emotion that everyone has in their hearts.
Dong Haoyun added: "Taking advantage of the opportunity of water transportation, the ships are all near the coast. With the addition of a maritime academy, we can train a large number of shipping talents, which is enough to make up for the shortcoming of insufficient personnel in the new company."
It is very difficult to train talents in shipping, mainly because there are not many opportunities for trial and error in long-distance shipping, and the cost is also very high, so it is difficult to train talents on a large scale.
But now there is a maritime academy to cultivate theoretical knowledge, a large number of offshore shipping opportunities to cultivate practical experience at low cost, and even two repair docks to cultivate equipment knowledge, which perfectly draws a circle.
Of course, there are still differences between open sea and near-shore sailing, but once a large number of crew members who can operate near the coast have been trained, it will be much easier to train those for open sea operations.
Dong Jiancheng also said: "Yes, with Yang Wendong's financial resources, the last shortcoming has been made up. With the support of HSBC, his development speed in the field of navigation will surely be rapid in the future."
Dong Haoyun frowned and said nothing.
Dong Jiancheng could only comfort him, "Father, Yang Wendong is already a big shot now, so we shouldn't worry too much about these rankings and just focus on developing our own careers.
Although we are in the same industry, there is virtually no chance of any conflict of interest between us.”
As a son, he knew how obsessed his father was with "tonnage". For a long time, he had always regarded himself as the No. 1 shipping tycoon among the Chinese in Hong Kong. Now that he was threatened, no one knew what his father would think.
"Yes," Dong Haoyun nodded, then looked at the manager beside him: "Go and check the specific details of this transaction."
The newspaper only contains some rough data, and the actual content of the cooperation is definitely unknown.
The manager quickly agreed: "Yes."
Then he left. Dong Haoyun glanced at his son and said, "Don't worry, I know what you think. We also need to expand our scale. I plan to order a container ship. This ship has a bright future and has a big market in Europe and the United States."
"Just make your decision, father." Dong Jiancheng also knew that it would be unlikely for him to persuade his father to give up fame and fortune, so he just had to calm down.
Central, the new headquarters of Global Shipping:
Since accepting investment from HSBC, the development of Global Shipping has been several times faster than before. Its headquarters has also been upgraded to the Central area and rented properties under the Hong Kong Land Group.
After Bao Yugang entered the office, he placed a newspaper he bought on the road in front of a person and said with a smile: "Along, do you know about this?"
Aaron glanced at the Oriental Daily and the familiar headlines, and said with a smile: "Of course I know, I just bought a newspaper too. This Yang Wendong really made a big news in the Hong Kong shipping industry."
"Yes, I am jealous of the new ship with a displacement tonnage of 60 tons," said Pao Yue-Kong with a sigh.
Aaron said, "You don't have to worry about it, Baosheng. Yang Wendong's deal is just a one-time deal. The reason he was able to get so much loan is because of his success in other industries. It is almost impossible for him to expand on this scale again. At least he has to wait until after this ship deal."
Bao Yugang shook his head and said, "Under normal circumstances, this is the case, but if Yang Wendong continues to develop smoothly in other fields, then if he invests in shipping, it is not impossible for him to make another large purchase."
“That’s possible.” Aaron agreed and said, “In fact, Yang Wendong’s strongest point is not his scale in the shipping market, but in other fields;
His industrial products are sold all over the world, and he has recently launched several electronic products, which are also selling well; the real estate market is also very large, and there are other areas. These combined make him the most powerful. "
"Yes." Bao Yugang thought for a moment and said, "But I don't need to compete with him. I just need to do my business well."
Aaron said: "But Yang Wendong has suddenly placed an order for 60 tons of tonnage in Japan, which may affect our subsequent plans to increase ships."
Bao Yugang said: "It can't be helped. We also need to expand. Fortunately, HSBC gave me a higher credit line, so I don't have to worry too much about funding."
"Yeah." Aaron said again: "Are we also preparing to enter the tanker market in a big way?"
Bao Yugang nodded and said, “Yes, although the risk is a bit high, the global economic development has an increasing demand for oil, and the profits in this market are bound to rise;
Didn’t you see that 75% of the tonnage Yang Wendong purchased this time were tankers? "
Aaron said, "Yeah, he's also very generous."
Bao Yugang smiled and said, "Yang Wendong's investments in many fields have been so successful, which is enough to show that he has a strong vision. I think so too, and so does Sanders. With so many people, it shouldn't be wrong."
"Well," Aaron said, "Anyway, our ships are all leased for a long time, so the risk is not great."
Bao Yugang added: "The second batch of students at the Maritime Academy are about to graduate. You should also make an appointment with Yang Wendong. I just happen to have something to ask him."
"Okay~"
A new ship with a tonnage of 60 tons is a figure that is enough to attract the attention of any Hong Kong shipping company. Even many international shipping giants would be interested in it.
The media's attention is also increasing.
The next day, all newspapers published the story, and many media outlets called Yang Wendong the next generation of shipping tycoon, the future wealthy family of Hong Kong, and so on.
What is more peculiar is that almost all media in Hong Kong have shown goodwill towards Yang Wendong, and none of them have found fault with him. This is completely different from the past when a certain wealthy man was commented on by the whole of Hong Kong.
On January 1, Yang Wendong was invited to the Maritime Academy in Zuijiu Bay.
"Mr. Yang," Bao Yugang laughed, "I haven't seen you for a few months. I saw your news a few days ago and I was so envious."
Yang Wendong said: "Mr. Bao, your current relationship with HSBC is much stronger than mine. If you really want to order a large ship, it won't be a problem."
The most important factor in buying a ship is the strength of bank support. Banks in Japan will support you as long as you buy a ship, because this is Japan's national policy to support the shipbuilding industry.
As for the remaining funds, it depends on your relationship with other banks. After all, this is equivalent to an unsecured loan, so you either have the ability or the connections.
Bao Yugang nodded and said, "Well, I am also planning to go to Europe to order a batch of oil tankers soon."
"Going to Europe?" Yang Wendong asked in surprise, "The ships there are much more expensive, right?"
The main reason why Japan was able to become the world's number one shipbuilder in 1956 was its low prices.
Bao Yugang said: "I want to do business there, but they only recognize European ships. There is nothing I can do."
"I see." Yang Wendong nodded: "Then I would like to congratulate Bao Sheng on his flourishing business in Europe."
"Thank you." Bao Yugang said, "Mr. Yang, I asked you to come here this time, in addition to attending the graduation ceremony, I also want to discuss something with you."
"Please speak." Yang Wendong was also a little curious.
Pao Yue-kong said, "Mr. Yang should know about containers, right?"
"Of course I know." Yang Wendong nodded.
Pao Yu-kong added: "I want to push the Hong Kong government to build a modern container terminal in Hong Kong."
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(End of this chapter)