Chapter 543 Opening of the Container Terminal

Chapter 543 Opening of the Container Terminal

Chapter 543 Opening of the Container Terminal

As a big capitalist who promotes the development of an industry behind the scenes, Yang Wendong naturally does not need to personally participate in the construction of the content industry. Even if he knows some classic Hong Kong movies or TV series in the future, he will not participate in them.

At the capital level, we can expand the demand of the Asian market, build channels, and give certain benefits to participants in the entire industry. In this way, under the self-regulation of the market, a large number of high-quality products will naturally be born. Just like WeChat public accounts, Douyin, etc. in the past, the platform does not participate in the content, but as long as the channel distribution is done well and the content creators can be guaranteed to have benefits, a lot of high-quality content will naturally be born;

This is also a kind of division of labor in society, making full use of the existing human resources in society to develop an industry.

Just like the entertainment industry, the manufacturing industry is essentially the same. When there are enough orders, Hong Kong's manufacturing industry will naturally develop rapidly. However, there are many factors that affect this, which are difficult to control. But it is good to be able to influence it a little. For example, Changxing Trade has been recruiting a large number of high-quality foreign trade talents in Hong Kong in recent years, and then giving orders to factories in Hong Kong after obtaining them.
This also promoted the development of Hong Kong's manufacturing industry and snatched certain orders from foreign companies such as Jardine Matheson and Wheelock.

In addition to orders, transportation costs are also very important, especially in recent years, the Middle East crisis has caused the cost of shipping to double. Although it has enriched a large number of shipping companies and indirectly promoted the birth of several major shipping kings in Hong Kong, Hong Kong's manufacturing industry has suffered a very serious blow.

Time soon came to November, and a major event that would have a significant impact on Hong Kong's business history took place: Kwai Chung's No. 11 container terminal was successfully completed and ready for official operation.

For this purpose, senior officials of the Hong Kong government were also invited, including the Governor, the Governor, and foreigners from various departments involved in transportation and commerce.

"Hello, Mr. Governor of Hong Kong and Mr. Provincial Commissioner." The top leaders of the Hong Kong government have arrived, so Yang Wendong naturally needs to come and greet them.

Hong Kong government official David Trench smiled and said, "Mr. Yang, congratulations. The completion of this large dock will definitely be of great help to the business of Changxing Group."

"It's not just for me, it's also for the entire Hong Kong industry." Yang Wendong also said: "I hope this terminal can also bring great help to all industries and businesses in Hong Kong."

If the terminal can help more factories reduce costs, then it will naturally benefit more. This is absolutely strongly correlated.

This is generally the case with public infrastructure, even the highways of the past. Although the tolls seem quite expensive, compared to taking the lower roads, it can still save drivers a lot of fuel and time, otherwise there wouldn't be so many people taking the highway.

This is even more true for container terminals, which have almost no disadvantages for shipping and can save a lot in terms of time, money and manpower. Except for the large number of porters at traditional terminals, it is cost-effective for all parties.

Trench said: "Okay, I also hope that Hong Kong's industry can develop better, especially with representatives like Mr. Yang."

"Then let's build Hong Kong together." Yang Wendong said with a smile: "Mr. Governor, please come in."

Now that the British Empire is in decline, it hopes that its colonies can develop better. Although Britain no longer directly draws fiscal revenue from Hong Kong at the official level, there are still many indirect models, and a lot of Hong Kong's wealth flows into Britain every year;

Therefore, the better development of Hong Kong is also good for the UK. This is also the fundamental reason why the UK is now beginning to vigorously rectify some corruption problems in Hong Kong society.

However, these British people obviously underestimated the strength of the Chinese. In the previous unfair environment, Chinese capital certainly could not compete with British capital, but now that it is "superficially" fair, the rise of Chinese capital has almost become inevitable. Although it will not drive away all British capital, it can definitely deal a heavy blow.
Historically, only half of companies such as Jardine Matheson, Swire, and HSBC were still controlled by British capital, while the rest were taken away by Chinese capital.

In this life, Yang Wendong would not let go of any other companies except the official HSBC. Even if it was the unlisted Swire, even if he could not acquire it, he would definitely seize its profits by other means. Anyway, in the field of beverages and sugar making, the two sides were also competitors.

The container terminal has started trial operation on the first day. There are not many boxes yet, but many large forklifts and cranes have already started working. Next to the terminal, there is also a large container ship loading boxes.

Trench watched a 20-foot container being assembled and loaded onto a cargo ship, and asked, "Mr. Yang, how long does it take to load and unload a container ship like this?"

Yang Wendong replied: "This is a 1000TEU (20-foot container). If the terminal fully cooperates and there are no other problems, it can be loaded in about 2-3 days."

"What if it was the cargo ship before?" Trench didn't know much about the shipping industry.

Yang Wendong said: "1000TEU usually carries 2 tons of cargo. If it is a previous cargo ship, it will take about 10 days to complete the loading. If there are some very large machines in the cargo, it will take longer.

The gap is even greater in terms of labor. In the past, cargo ships required at least hundreds or even thousands of people working 24 hours a day to load cargo, but now only a few dozen people and some equipment are needed, which will greatly reduce costs and time and improve efficiency. "

Dai Linzhi nodded and said, "In essence, the loading and unloading that used to be centralized has now been transferred to various factories?"

"Yes, that's the logic. The goods in the container also need to be installed in the factory." Yang Wendong said, "But with unified-sized cabinets and unified transportation modes, such as dedicated container trucks, dedicated forklifts and cranes, the goods can be easily fixed in the box, and the same is true for containers on ships;
In this way, the cost of transportation loss will be greatly reduced. For factories, this model is very cost-effective in terms of cost, time and loss. "

Trench asked again: "So what ratio is your cost compared to the traditional transportation model?"

Yang Wendong said: "Based on the goods, the current price is about 70% of the previous price, but the time is much shorter."

"70%?" Trench asked curiously, "Mr. Yang, as far as I know, the transportation cost of a container terminal is only 7% to % of that of a traditional terminal. Isn't your % too high?"

Yang Wendong smiled and said: “From a global perspective, this is true, but today Hong Kong’s container terminals have just started, and the various amortized costs are still very high;
And this is also the price under the market economy. Too many people want to use container transportation, so the price will not go down naturally. "

Changxing Media has long been promoting the benefits of container terminals, and many terminal salesmen have also begun visiting some traditional factories, not to mention that there is a high demand within the Changxing Group;
Although the cost of container terminals is relatively low, it is never the cost that determines the price of a product or service, but the market demand. Nowadays, the demand is high and the supply exceeds the demand, so the price is naturally more expensive.

In this way, Changxing Infrastructure can recover its costs earlier. Anyway, for many factory owners, even if the price is the same, the saved time and reduced product loss rate alone are huge profits.

Trench smiled and said, "That's right. It seems that the demand for container terminals is really high."

Yang Wendong took the opportunity to say, "Mr. Governor, I will arrange for someone to bring the data in this regard. These are enough to prove the help of container terminals to the economy. Given Hong Kong's current environment, more container terminals are still needed."

Trench was also a smart man. He understood Yang Wendong's meaning immediately and asked, "Mr. Yang, do you want to build a new container terminal?" "If possible, I would also be happy to do so." Yang Wendong said, "But I am also analyzing from the perspective of Hong Kong's social development. Now my one terminal is definitely not enough. Only more container terminals can meet the needs of Hong Kong society.
If a large number of factories can ship goods to the sea through container terminals, the cost will definitely be reduced a lot, thus gaining a larger market, which will also drive more employment and tax revenue. This is a win-win situation for all of us.”

One terminal is definitely not enough. Historically, Hong Kong had nine container terminals.
Furthermore, even if I don’t talk about this matter today, the Hong Kong government will promote this matter as the society develops.

Trench nodded and said, "I understand what Mr. Yang means. In fact, the Hong Kong government has already sent people to investigate overseas. It is inevitable to continue to build container terminals. However, how to build them and how many more to build still need to be discussed internally."

"That's good. I'm waiting for good news from the Hong Kong government." Yang Wendong said with a smile.

Now, after 67 years, the Hong Kong government must maintain "Chinese-British equality" in many matters, even if it is only superficially fair. Otherwise, no one can stand the chaos.

This gives me a very good opportunity. As long as the Hong Kong government does not target Chinese capital at the official level, I can gradually begin to penetrate into the sphere of influence of traditional British capital, and even find opportunities to acquire these companies.

"OK." Trench also knew the intentions of the Chinese tycoon in front of him;

Although they were aware of the other party's ambitions, the current situation in Hong Kong was no longer completely controlled by British capital. Yang Wendong was also the top representative of Chinese capital in Hong Kong, and his international influence even exceeded his. This made the Hong Kong government have to be very cautious in many matters.

At noon, after Trench and others left, Yang Wendong came to the Port Authority Building, which was the office space of Kwai Chung Pier;

"Mr. Yang, the total workload of the terminal today has reached 60% of the total plan. In the next ten days, it will gradually increase to the maximum throughput." Wang Haolin, the person in charge of Kwai Chung Terminal, reported.

Yang Wendong asked: "What is the maximum throughput, how many containers a day?"

Wang Haolin said: "About 450."

"450? It doesn't look like much." Yang Wendong asked.

Wang Haolin said: "Yes, in fact, we have made sufficient preparations for port infrastructure. The quantity limit is still due to various types of take-off and landing equipment and manual control capabilities;
Our port equipment gantry crane is the latest customized global equipment, but this type of equipment has only been around for a few years, so there should be a lot of room for improvement in the future. In addition, the personnel are new, and when the workers become skilled and a set of standards is produced, the speed may be much faster. "

"Okay, whether it's equipment or personnel, keep an eye on your overseas counterparts, and tell me immediately if there is any progress." Yang Wendong added: "If we can increase the transportation speed, not only will we be able to make money, but it will also be of great help to Hong Kong's manufacturing industry."

Hong Kong's industry is still dominated by light industry, so it is unrealistic to produce gantry cranes. Yang Wendong does not plan to participate in this either, as he does not have any advantages in this area. He can just buy the most advanced equipment.

Even if he is really optimistic about this very professional field, he can only invest in it instead of participating in it himself. For example, if there is such an enterprise in the mainland in the future, he can invest in it himself.

"Yes, Mr. Yang." Wang Haolin agreed.

Yang Wendong looked at Zheng Zhijie next to him and said, "Old Zheng, our results have come out. It is obvious that the supply is insufficient to meet the demand. It is estimated that the Hong Kong government may soon launch a new container terminal. You keep an eye on this side and tell me if there is any movement."

Although he is not determined to monopolize all the Hong Kong docks, he has to at least take over a part of them. One is too little.

"I understand." Zheng Zhijie also knew what his boss was thinking, and he felt the same way.

The next day, Hong Kong media also began to report in depth on the opening of the container terminal. TVB also sent a crew to follow up and film, and chose a factory, from the beginning, the goods in the factory were boxed, sealed, and then sent to the container terminal, and then lined up one by one to board the ship;
The efficiency of doing things in one go may not seem like much to outsiders, but for the boss of a factory doing export business, he was stunned after seeing the whole process.

Although I had heard that the efficiency of container terminals was very high before, I didn't expect it to be so high.

Shen Xincheng is an engineering boss who specializes in exporting toys. His products are mainly exported to the United States and Europe. Normal shipments require customizing a large number of wooden boxes and then placing the goods in them. This makes transportation very troublesome, and he often has to wait for a long time at the port before he can get on board. Sometimes, the goods are even rejected by shipping companies because they are too light.

Now that we have boxes, it is much more convenient.

"Ah Lin, call Kwai Chung Pier right away. I also want to order a container and ask about the price."

"Yes, boss."

After a while, Ah Lin returned and said, "Boss, I just called and asked, Kwai Chung Terminal has no boxes in the next half month. It will take at least half a month, and the price may increase."

"Increase the price? How much?" Shen Xincheng asked immediately.

A Lin shook his head and said, "I don't know yet. I heard that many factories want to order boxes, so the port can't handle it. We have no choice but to raise the price. How much it will increase depends on the port's policy in the future."

"It's really evil. Okay, I get it. Let's reserve a seat first. As long as it's not too outrageous, it's fine." Shen Xincheng could only say helplessly.
But he didn't know that if his toys were in short supply, the price would also go up.

Ah Lin agreed: "Okay, I'll go right away."

As the terminal’s effects became more apparent, more factories began to inquire about the price and effect of container transportation, which were much better than traditional models.

PS: Please give me a monthly ticket
Because my hearing is not well yet, I am still receiving hyperbaric oxygen and intravenous drip recently. I can only update once in the next few days. I will update twice when I recover.

(End of this chapter)