In the following days, Lin Zhichao continued to socialize in various ways, meeting friends, politicians, and customers, which has become his agenda every time he comes to the United States.

On this day, Lin Zhichao attended a cocktail party, which was hosted by Exxon Oil Company, as well as other oil companies in the United States, and most of the guests invited to participate were shipping company bosses and executives.

The closure of the Suez Canal has doubled the routes of many of the world's merchant ships. The number of ships passing through the Suez Canal in the world is about 250 million tons (tons) per year, so the next equivalent is equivalent to adding 250 million tons of total tonnage per year, and the rough estimate of the shortage of merchant ships is 40 million tons.

The shipbuilding cycle now takes 18 months, and more importantly, the total tonnage of global shipbuilding last year was less than 20 million tons; To this extent, if we do not take into account the increase in traffic in the world economy, three years after the closure of Suez, the world's merchant ships will barely be sufficient.

Of course, the global demand for shipping is also increasing, and the world's second-hand ships are also being scrapped every day, so in fact, Suez has been closed for half a year, and the market is very good.

The United States had not yet developed its own large oil fields at this time, and almost all of them needed to be transported from overseas, especially in the Middle East; Therefore, the intention of the US oil company to hold this reception is obvious, that is, to ensure the power of oil transportation.

Last year, Japan's shipbuilding launch was 11 million tons, and this year it may increase slightly; The important thing is that Lin Zhichao occupies this 15~20% share.

At the cocktail party, everyone did not talk about business directly, but more about contacting feelings. However, the organizers may not have the idea of inviting the shipowners together and then 'lowering the price'.

Of course, the current shipowners are not easy to mess with, after all, the market is tight, everyone is very strong, and they will not eat Exxon's set. Even if it is Lin Zhichao, although the price of long-term rental is a little lower, it must also follow the long-term rental market, and it is impossible for the price to be too low.

"Mr. Hayashi, I heard that you have built several VLCC ships in Japan?" At the reception, Onassis and Nigras, two Greek ship kings, came to Lin Zhichao and others.

Niu Deng, who has been promoted to vice president, was happy to see this kind of scene and watched with interest beside Lin Zhichao.

He didn't know how many VLCCs Lin Zhichao had in his hands, but he couldn't help but sigh that every time Lin Zhichao could build a lot of big ships when this kind of thing came, he could make a lot of money.

He really admires Lin Zhichao's vision and means of grasping the best time, but he also feels a little difficult.

Lin Zhichao held the wine glass and said with a smile: "I have indeed built a few ships, and I am almost ready to launch them." ”

Onasson felt a pang of envy before he said, "The Japanese have always built the biggest ships at a time, but I've always been a little skeptical of their technology. France can now also make VLCCs, so I chose France. ”

Lin Zhichao unceremoniously debunked: "Mr. Onassis, as far as I know, among Japan's shipbuilding customers every year, there are already quite a few European and American customers. ”

The implication is that European and American customers have already gone to Japan to build ships, and it is really hopeless that you still hold this view. In fact, Japan already accounts for about 45 percent of the world's total tonnage of shipbuilding and launching every year, and will soon account for half of the world's shipbuilding.

This achievement is difficult to be broken by the countries behind.

Onasson was speechless, he didn't expect that Lin Zhichao could kill with one blow; Of course, his point of view is not wrong, but it is only the concept of European and American shipowners in the past few years, and this view has gradually disappeared in the last two or three years.

Seeing this, Lin Zhichao asked rhetorically: "Mr. Onassis, how much does a French VLCC cost?" ”

Britain, France and Germany in Europe are all traditional shipbuilding powers, but now it is twilight.

Onassis said: "It will cost about 30 million US dollars, and the total tonnage is 222,000 tons!" ”

This is 25% more expensive, and even if Japan increases its price twice, it will only cost about 24 million US dollars.

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "It's too expensive! ”

Isn't this a big deal!

Lin Zhichao built ships in Britain, France and Germany, all of which built 1~20,000 tons of cargo ships, and had some special requirements, which was slightly better in Britain, France and Germany; Of course, if it weren't for the political factor, it wouldn't have been created.

Everyone talked about the shipbuilding industry, but did not talk about business directly, during which Onassis intended to test how many ships Lin Zhichao would launch, and Lin Zhichao prevaricated.

This time, in the negotiations between him and Exxon, it is still the Universal Group that has the initiative.

Next.

Lin Zhichao took Bobby Blair and other management to the headquarters of Exxon.

"Mr. Lin, how many ships have you launched and what is the total tonnage?" Newden was the first to ask.

When he asked this, he naturally wanted to take the initiative in the negotiations.

Lin Zhichao said: "There are 10 oil tankers of 226,000 that were launched in August ~ November this year, but two Japanese shipping companies have chartered four, so there are still six left, which will be launched in . ”

This doesn't need to be kept secret, now it's time to open the window and say something.

Newden had a glimmer of joy on his face, which would alleviate the current shortage of oil shipments. The big oil companies have their own oil depots, but they also need to make sure that the transportation is restored as soon as possible, otherwise if there is another emergency, it will be a big problem.

Just like the oil crisis in 1973~1974, the United States can only use war-ready oil, and even the president's plane has to reduce take-off, and various plans to save oil have been released, calling on the whole people to save energy.

"We can lease four, you see?"

"No problem, according to the practice of long-term lease, I will rent it to you for three or four years."

Niu Deng hurriedly said: "NONONO, Mr. Lin, ten years ago, your trick made me almost roll up the cover and leave."

This means that 10 years ago, the Suez Canal was closed for a year and then opened, but Exxon continued to pay high transportation fees.

Lin Zhichao smiled: "This is already the practice of our cooperation!" You must know that after that, no matter what the market is, I signed a 3~4 year lease. Isn't it? ”

Niu Deng waited for Exxon's side, and then tried the rent for three years, and Lin Zhichao quoted a return rate of 40% per year.

The 40% rate of return for Universal Group seems to be more than 5% cheaper than the 'one-way short-term charter' of Greek shipowners, and it is also a long-term charter.

Actually?

The rent is much cheaper!

First of all, the price of shipbuilding in Japan is 25% cheaper, which is equivalent to the rent to Exxon is also much cheaper;

Secondly, the operating expenses (seafarers' salaries, taxes, etc.) of Hong Kong shipowners are much lower, which is equivalent to a reduction in the rent to Exxon.

Finally, Hong Kong seafarers can suffer more losses, and customers are very willing to charter Hong Kong ships, such as some things, Greek seafarers will not help you, but Hong Kong seafarers will help and provide considerate service.

"Mr. Lin, I won't say anything about the annual rent, but if the Suez Canal is closed for a few months or a year, we will continue to pay high rent."

"It's a gamble in itself! In case it closes for three or five years, you save a lot of money. And judging from the situation this time, the confrontation between Israel and Egypt is long-term, and you can also analyze this."

That's the key!

For example, if they rent for a year, the rent will definitely go up; But after a year, what if Suez is not open, they can only continue to renew the lease at a high price.

And this time it is not the same as last time, this time Egypt lost the Sinai Peninsula, how can it be possible to open the Suez Canal in a year?

Exxon and the others immediately looked at each other, they didn't expect Lin Zhichao's negotiation skills to be so superb, of course they had already understood. Analyzing the shipping situation from the outside, and then analyzing the funds saved from the inside, this is what makes Exxon Oil speechless.

Of course, sometimes even if you know that you can't talk about it, Exxon Oil is a customer, and they seem to be supporting Hong Kong shipping, so there is still a leading place.

Therefore, Exxon's proposal to reduce the freight cost is to kill the price again.

This time, Lin Zhichao is not willing to reduce the price!

Although the rate of return in Europe and the United States is 5~6% higher than that of Japan, Japanese shipyards and banks support Hong Kong shipowners, which cannot be compared with Europe and the United States.

Japan is really helpful to Hong Kong shipping, and of course Hong Kong shipping has also helped Japanese shipyards, which is a mutual achievement. But on the whole, Hong Kong is the weaker side, after all, it is only a city. And many of Hong Kong's big shipowners rely on Japanese business to get started, which cannot be erased.

Although he was reluctant to reduce the price, Lin Zhichao said: "We are willing to sign a subsidiary contract, if the Suez Canal is redeveloped within two years, you can cancel the contract and re-sign the contract with us for market conditions, but only this cooperation."

Whether to sign this subsidiary contract or not, the initiative is in the hands of Lin Zhichao.

It is necessary to sign this ancillary contract at a high shipping cost. After the 70s, even if the Suez Canal was closed, the freight rate had returned to the basic market of "20~25% return rate for new ships", and naturally there was no need to sign ancillary contracts.

At that time, Lin Zhichao wanted to sign a long-term contract, and the longer the better. The purpose is just to avoid the oil crisis of 1973~1974, and Western countries cannot buy oil.

Niu Deng and the others were overjoyed, they didn't expect Lin Zhichao to be willing to make this concession, and immediately stopped lowering the price of freight!

This is also what Lin Zhichao wants, no matter what, he will take advantage.

Soon, the two parties reached a verbal contract, and there was no need to worry about the other party breaking the contract. Because there is a global shortage of ships, not a lack of business.

Because Lin Zhichao has built a lot of ships, when Japan receives orders now, it has squeezed out a lot of resources.

It is almost impossible to increase production in three years, because there is a load standard for shipyard shipbuilding.

Things turned out as expected, but the next thing was the big thing.

Lin Zhichao said at the end: "Vice President Niu Deng, at the beginning of April this year, we also built a few VLCCs, which will be launched in April ~ August next year. If you have a need, you would like to continue to cooperate. ”

Niu Deng and the others were surprised, and finally he said with admiration: "Mr. Lin, you are the best ship king in the world, you can rest assured, we will give priority to your Hong Kong shipowners." ”

It's cheap, so why not prioritize it!

The agreement between Lin Zhichao and Dong Haoyun is that the two parties will lease this batch of VLCCs in their hands in the same mode and price, not Lin Zhichao to sell it for him.

The advantage of this is that the two of them have held the VLCC voice in the world for nearly a year, and they have formed a weakening of the Greek shipowners.

The more the business of Greek shipowners was sniped, the more they did not dare to build ships, and slowly, Greek shipping fell far behind.

The results of this negotiation have been as expected.

The remaining two VLCCs are not worried about renting at all, and someone will soon take the initiative to come to the door.

Sure enough.

Onassis also came to Exxon Oil in the following days, and he currently has a ship working with Exxon; But this time, he came purely inquiring.

When he heard that Lin Zhichao had built a large number of VLCCs, Onassis was stunned.

When he heard that the Aix Oil Company was preparing to sign a long-term lease for four VLCCs, Onassis finally stated his purpose: "So, Mr. Newden, aren't you worried about repeating the mistakes of ten years ago?" ”

The two are also acquainted, but even so, revealing the shortcomings in person makes Niu Deng unhappy.

Ten years ago, the company actually didn't blame him, the situation at that time, who knew how to develop; On the contrary, the oil tanker signed by Niu Deng helped the company stabilize its transportation strength.

"We're going to sign a subsidiary treaty that circumvents the problems that might arise," Newden said. ”

"What subsidiary treaty?"

"If the freight fluctuates greatly, we have the right to default."

Onassis was dumbfounded, there was such an operation.

"Meaning, like ten years ago, the Suez Canal was reopened, and you can terminate the contract?" He didn't believe that Lin Zhichao was willing to give in.

"Not bad! Mr. Onassis, you should also consider the matter of reducing the price, Hong Kong shipowners have many ships, and their strength has surpassed that of your Greece. Niu Deng took the opportunity to say.

At this time, Onassis and other Greek shipowners were not useless, that is, they could make up for the lack of transportation at any time, in fact, they acted as firefighters. When there is a lack of transportation capacity, it is a short-term charter to a Greek shipowner, and the main charter has been transferred to Hong Kong and Japanese shipping companies.

Onassis replied to the words, then rose to take his leave.

The news he got today made him start to expand cautiously. The reason couldn't be simpler, the advantage of Hong Kong shipowners is obvious, if he expands too fast, once the business is gone, the value of the ship in his hand will depreciate wildly.

The 'end times' of Greek shipping?

In fact, Greek shipping is very resilient, and with the decline of Hong Kong's shipping in later generations, Greece has become the world's largest fleet in the 21st century, controlling 31.78% of the world's oil tanker fleet and about 21% of the world's fleet tonnage.

Later, due to various reasons, Hong Kong's shipping was far inferior to Greece. For example, Hong Kong's economy is developed and seafarers' salaries have increased; the rise of mainland shipping, seizing Hong Kong's maritime business; The old ship kings have withered or misseen the situation, and the younger generation is not here.

In this life, Universal Group will always be engaged in shipping, and will always become the world's largest private shipowner.

Cycle is Lin Zhichao's magic weapon to win. For example, in 1978~1986, he only needed to retain a fleet of 6 million tons, and the container carrier ship was heavier; In 1986, it bucked the trend and expanded the fleet to 10 million, and before 1997, although it was not considered a prosperous shipping period, it was also regarded as 'inaction', and the market was ordinary. It was sold again before 1997 and bottomed out again in 1999~2001. Cycle after week, Universal Group has always maintained a large number of tonnage and ships at its peak, and these ships can be purchased and built cheaply and at a low cost at low times.

In this life, Global Group will always be the leader of the shipping industry.

Mr. Lin did not return to Hong Kong until late August, not because he was worried about his safety, but because there were too many things going on. He went to the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and finally returned to Hong Kong.

Lin Zhichao, who returned to Hong Kong, was dumbfounded, the matter was more serious than he imagined, he was a little scared, Zuo Lengchan was too terrifying!

He lamented that it was fortunate that he did not stand up and say something, otherwise he would be a figure on the 'traitor list' and the 'must-kill list'; as for whether the British government in Hong Kong will look at Lin Zhichao differently, there is no need to worry at all, after all, I have not heard that businessman stand up and take the lead.

80 Deep Water Bay.

Lin Zhichao and Tang Caiyun were having dinner, and there were a large number of security guards in both villas, which is a power that other wealthy people in Hong Kong do not have. The security of the Lin family, after years of complete training system summary, is already quite professional and loyal.

Of course, Zuo Lengchan would not deliberately target Lin Zhichao, not to mention that they may not be able to find it here. In short, it's important to take precautions.

"What would happen if my dad went back to serve back then?"

"Hanging, jumping off a building, taking sleeping pills, this is the best relief."

Tang Caiyun was stunned for a moment, and then hurriedly said, "Do you want us to go abroad to avoid it?" You can also command everything over the phone anyway. ”

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "You will go to New York to see them in the next two days, and I will not leave Hong Kong for the time being." Don't worry too much, I have air and sea 'soldiers' and can go at any time. ”

Tang Caiyun said worriedly: "I'm worried that you will be injured by firecrackers!" ”

Lin Zhichao said: "Recently, I don't go to Central, let them come to the villa to report to me, you can rest assured to go abroad to meet, wait for two or three months and I will see the situation and then call you back!" ”

November should almost be calm, December should be calm, Lin Zhichao guessed.

Tang Caiyun said: "My father has asked Xianqian's family to go to Nigeria to take care of the business, and now he is trembling and a little suspicious. ”

Lin Zhichao nodded and said, "It's okay, when things settle down, it's the same as the first time to copy the bottom, I'll communicate with him later." ”

In fact, Lin Zhichao does not necessarily have to stay in Hong Kong, just like Tang Caiyun said, there is no problem with remote command. Even if it is to buy a property, Cheung Kong itself is already involved in the purchase and sale of executives, and Lin Zhichao will not sign a business of hundreds of thousands or millions.

However, Lin Zhichao also wants to witness history in person, he is a master of art and bold anyway.

The next day, Lin Zhichao personally escorted Tang Caiyun to Kai Tak Airport by water.

It's not that Hong Kong is so dangerous at this time, after all, ordinary citizens still have to live, many factories have not stopped, in fact, there are only 20,000 or 30,000 people tossing, and some want to fish in troubled waters.

Kai Tak Airport is still very safe, so Lin Zhichao sent his wife to the United States again.

(End of chapter)