Chapter 137 [Ship King’s Wedding] (Please vote for me!)

Author: Ren Zhufei

Chapter 137 [Ship King’s Wedding] (Please vote for me!)

After returning to Hong Kong, Lin Zhichao immediately inspected various companies. After confirming that everything was developing stably, he began to take a plane to Japan to promote his own cargo ships.

Although the cargo ship has not yet arrived in Hong Kong, we can make contact first and sit back and relax after reaching a preliminary intention.

After arriving in Japan, Lin Zhichao and Gao Qiqiang split up. Lin Zhichao went to visit Tatsuro Yamashita, while Gao Qiqiang went to large shipping companies such as Nippon Shipping Company to submit the ship's information and make an appointment.

Yamaguchi Steam Turbine Company.

"We have leased all three ships, but the prices are a little more favorable, and we are only willing to sign the lease for three years." After seeing the information handed over by Lin Zhichao, Yamashita Tatsuro flashed with joy, and then returned to the same state.

They are short of merchant ships, and even the whole of Japan is short of merchant ships. If we buy a large number of second-hand ships from overseas, it will require a lot of foreign exchange; it will be difficult to get all government approvals in a short time.

Therefore, he likes to rent boats.

Lin Zhichao did not give Yamashita Tatsuro all the information on the seven ships. He only gave him a 15,000-ton Victory ship and two 10,000-ton cargo ships.

Because he probably knew the freight business volume of Yamaguchi Steamship, he was worried that he would blackmail him into bargaining if he gave too much information. At the same time, Lin Zhichao did not want too many major customers to be concentrated, and Global Shipping needed another major customer.

, maintain at least two major customers in Japan to avoid being manipulated.

Lin Zhichao said cheerfully this time: "There is no problem with signing the contract for three years. I believe that the prospect of shipping will last for a long time. As for the price, to be honest, the price of second-hand ships in Europe has generally increased by more than 20%. But President Yamashita helped me

If you are very busy, how about signing for $2.9 million a year?"

If you sign a contract for three years, at worst, after three years, you can sign another two years at a cheaper price.

In short, he would never let his ship have a long-term contract in mid-1956, because then he would suffer heavy losses!

Yamashita Tatsuro was overjoyed. For the same tonnage, the contract was shortened by two years, and the price was saved by US$100,000 per year.

Sure enough, this young man was cheerful enough and the favor he received last time was worth it (in fact, he got more than this benefit).

With the shrewdness of a Japanese businessman, Yamashita Tatsuro waved his dragon-slaying knife again and said: "How about 2.8 million US dollars a year? Your other two 10,000-ton cargo ships are a little older."

Older ships mean cheaper rentals, that's true.

But in fact, the price range is not that big.

Lin Zhichao readily gave a compromise plan: "In this way, if I am more sincere, the price is still 2.9 million US dollars a year, but we can accept payment of 30% in Japanese yen and 70% in US dollars. In this way, I believe that Yamaguchi Steam Turbine will definitely

You can see our sincerity.”

He accepted Japanese yen because Japan's repair shops are now good and can repair warships. Global Shipping has 12 cargo ships of about 10,000 tons and many old ships, so problems may inevitably occur throughout the year.

When Japan can build ships in the future, global shipping can increase the proportion of payments in Japanese yen; importantly, the Japanese yen is very valuable and is currently pegged to the US dollar (1 US dollar equals 360 yen). Around the 1970s, the Japanese yen began to appreciate.

, we should insist on settlement in Japanese yen.

Tatsuro Yamashita was indeed happy. If he paid 30% in yen, it would be equivalent to reducing foreign exchange expenditure by US$870,000 a year, which is a good thing for the company.

"It's settled! When your ship arrives in Hong Kong, we will formally sign the contract."

"OK"

Later, Lin Zhichao and Gao Qiqiang went to the Japanese Shipping Company to discuss cooperation.

Due to rising freight rates and a large amount of cargo waiting to be transported, the Japanese shipping company also attached great importance to this issue and finally decided to charter all four cargo ships of Global Shipping at one go.

However, they are more cautious and are only willing to sign a three-year contract with a rental fee of US$3 million per year (total load capacity of 36,000 tons).

Lin Zhichao still chose to agree!

The ship price has soared this time, and the freight is not very affordable due to long-term charter.

The annual rental of the seven ships is only 5.9 million US dollars, and the theoretical profit is more than 4 million (depending on the ship's maintenance status), which is equivalent to taking just over a year (14 months) to recover the capital.

Although it may seem like a bit of a loss, after all, many shipping companies can now earn back an old ship in less than a year.

In reality, this is not the case. A three-year contract can maintain the same profit every year without being affected by market fluctuations. In the end, it may not be much different from a one-way short-term rental. After all, Lin Zhichao signed a long-term contract at the peak of the market. This is obviously very beneficial.

The important thing is to establish a kind of trust with Japanese business, which will be beneficial to later business development.

After returning to Hong Kong.

Lin Zhichao reported the recent development of global shipping to Sandus.

At present, although Lin Zhichao is not worried that HSBC will not borrow money (it has already been borrowed), he is worried that HSBC will suddenly collect the debt; in that case, Lin Zhichao will fall short.

Of course, this kind of thing does not exist in theory, but Lin Zhichao needs to let Sandus firmly support him.

After hearing this, Sandus marveled at Lin Zhichao's boldness and took a loan of US$3 million to purchase seven cargo ships worth US$4.5 million.

"After you formally sign the contract with Yamaguchi Steamship and Nippon Steamship Company, you must notify me. To be honest, I don't really feel relieved until I see the contract."

Don't blame him for being nervous. In the eyes of bankers, a ship cannot be regarded as an 'asset', at least it would be difficult for you to use it as a mortgage.

Lin Zhichao nodded and said: "As soon as the ship arrives in Hong Kong, I will go to Japan to formally sign the contract. Japan has a large amount of goods waiting to be shipped overseas, and they are also eager to use the ship."

Sandus did not relax his vigilance because of Lin Zhichao's analysis.

But since Lin Zhichao has already bought the boat, he will naturally not interfere.

Sandus then said with a smile: "Many people now believe that leasing smuggling ships to China is the most profitable way to make money in the Far East. Only you can see it best. Japan's demand for shipping is also a huge market. Hong Kong

There are also shipowners who rent their ships to Japanese merchants, but they are all one-way short-term rentals. Although the price is high, the business may inevitably be sluggish. After all, you have avoided the risks of shipping, I admire you!"

As if he had discovered a jade in the rough, he slowly came to admire Lin Zhichao's shipping management methods. Sandus believed that if Lin Zhichao develops as he does now, he will still be able to become a world shipping king like Orasis in the future.

HSBC can also benefit a lot from supporting global shipping.

Lin Zhichao said modestly: "I have also tried every means to consider stability in order to gain the trust of the bank. Otherwise, it will be very difficult to develop rapidly if I rely solely on my own funds."

Sandus nodded! It was precisely because of such difficulties that this young man came up with a good idea, just like Lin Zhichao when buying real estate, he also came up with installment stratification because of financial problems.

The two chatted for a while, and then Lin Zhichao left. As long as Sandus guarantees it for him, Global Shipping will be worry-free.

As long as the contract is officially settled, Global Shipping's monthly profits can repay the loan and balance payment.

Saturday, January 27, 1951.

On this day, the weather in Hong Kong cleared up and the sea was clear with boundless blue waves.

A Victory Ship is parked in Victoria Harbor, looking as majestic and unyielding as a warship. In fact, when the Victory Ship was produced, it had artillery and other weapons and equipment, and had certain defensive capabilities. So it makes sense to say it is a warship.

The Victory Ship has a load capacity of 15,000 tons. The entire hull is quite huge, and it looks even smaller when standing on it. The deck area is quite large, and it is equipped with several crane devices. Large merchant ships of this era have self-equipped cranes on the deck.

Unlike the container era in later generations, the lifting devices are basically docked.

Today is a good day. Lin Zhichao will marry Xu Caiying, the daughter of the Xu family. He has moved the wedding to the Victory Wheel.

So as soon as the Victory Wheel entered Hong Kong, it was immediately decorated. It took two days to finally set up the wedding scene and luncheon scene, and invited more than 300 people to the scene.

The dinner will also be held at the Hong Kong Hotel (Pedter Street), and the wedding will look very grand.

Because it was a 'bungalow', it was held on the scale of the main room. This time the size was even larger. Of course, this was due to Lin Zhichao's increased status.

For example, for this wedding, Lin Zhichao tentatively sent invitations to Hong Kong Governor Grant Hung and his wife, and they have already received a response. As for Sir Robert Ho Tung, he sent his children to attend because of his age.

At 10:30 in the morning, guests arrived one after another, and Lin Zhichao, Xu Caiying and his wife, their parents, adoptive parents, and the main wife Tang Caiyun greeted them at the entrance.

"Mr. Xu, Xu Sheng, welcome!" Lin Zhichao welcomed Xu Aizhou and his third son Xu Shixun.

Xu Aizhou inquired about the victory wheel for a while, and then said: "This wedding is very innovative. It really makes everyone feel ashamed that you have such strength. It really is the waves behind the Yangtze River that push the waves ahead!"

Victory Wheel! Apart from government-owned enterprises, the Chinese have never heard of such a large ship owned by private individuals.

Now there are rumors in Hong Kong business circles that Lin Zhichao has received support from HSBC Bank and is even more prosperous.

"You are serious, please come this way!"

"good!"

Soon, Chinese relatives, friends, and partners arrived one after another. Everyone lamented Lin Zhichao's strong strength. Now that he has received a loan from HSBC, it is even more amazing.

Of course, no one in Hong Kong except HSBC knows how many ships Lin Zhichao has; one thing is certain, that is, relying on Lin Zhichao to recruit hundreds of seamen, some people speculate that Lin Zhichao owns a fleet of about 50,000 tons.

Even so, this strength is second only to Xu Aizhou's fleet, not to mention that Lin Zhichao is only in his twenties and has the support of a bank.

"The Governor is here!"

I don't know who shouted, and found that Grantham and his wife were riding the Hong Kong government's yacht, approaching the Victory. At this time, everyone also discovered a problem. The Hong Kong government's yacht looked a bit small under the Victory wheel.

Fortunately, one is a cargo seller and the other is a yacht.

After a while, Grantham, surrounded by several foreigners, boarded the deck.

"Welcome Governor Ge Gang and Mrs. Ge Mulian!" Lin Zhichao greeted in a very gentlemanly manner.

Grantham and his wife looked at Lin Zhichao and his wife, and then Grantham said with a smile: "The wedding is very innovative! I heard that you own many 10,000-ton ships. It seems to be true."

Lin Zhichao said with a smile: "There are indeed a few ships. Thanks to the support of HSBC, these ships are currently repaying their loans. Fortunately, these ships are all leased to Japanese shipping companies on a long-term basis, so there is no problem in repaying the loans."

There are many meanings in what he said. First, he was grateful for the support from HSBC, which was equivalent to moving closer to the Hong Kong government; second, he had long-term leased the ship to a Japanese customer and would not participate in smuggling.

"That's it! But if you can get a loan from HSBC, it must be because your business is very good. I understand that it is difficult for shipping to get a bank loan."

"Governor Ge thanks you for your praise, please come here!"

At this time, the Chinese people all lamented the deep relationship between Lin Zhichao and the Hong Kong government. Even the governor and his wife attended the wedding.
To be continued...