John Fredriksen, (born 10 May 1944) is a Norwegian-born Cypriot oil tanker and shipping tycoon, owner of the world’s largest oil tanker fleet, and was Norway’s richest man until he chose to abandon his Norwegian citizenship and take up a Cypriot passport. Norwegian magazine Kapital listed Fredriksen in 2010 with a net worth of NOK 69 billion ($13 billion USD).Through his investment companies Hemen Holdings and Meisha, Fredriksen controls the companies Frontline and Golar LNG from London.
- The market will come back, but not in two or three years, and until then it’s going to be pretty tough, he said.
The expatriate Norwegian, however, see the situation in the shipping industry,as an opportunity.
When the market goes bad it’s more an opportunity than a problem, he said.
But the man who controls the world’s largest fleet does not believe that all will survive.
- Most companies will not survive. If this last two years, and we think it will, then many companies will disappear, he said.
- “Scream” too expensive
Last week, Edvard Munch’s pastel picture “The Scream” sold for $ 119.9 million of auction house Sotheby’s. The buyer who paid a record payment is said to be the royal family in Qatar.
Fredriksen refused to participating in the auction he said, that the price was too high.
- I could buy more tankers for the money, says Fredriksen said.
As Fredriksen’s twin daughters have gotten increasingly more involved his companies many speculate he would retire.
Billionaire daughters, Cecilie Fredriksen, Maryam Nourian and Kathrine Fredriksen.
Tax Refugee
Frederiksen manages his business empire from London and Cyprus. He has also become a Cypriot citizen. Anything to avoid tax. Through its Cypriot holding company, Hemen Holding, he owns the entire 133.1 million shares in Seadrill.
Hemen Holding is controlled by foundations controlled by Frederiksen and his immediate family. That is, his two daughters, Kathrine and Cecilie.
Fuller is also a major shareholder in other listed companies such as Frontline, Archer, Golden Ocean, Aktiv Kapital, Golar LNG and Marine Harvest.
The last 10-year has been fantastic years.
“John Fredriksen has contempt for the risks, rules and weaklings. While others think, Fredriksen act, without asking anyone. He does not own everything, but he decides everything.
Fredriksen has the twins Kathrine and Cecilie (born 1983) with his late wife Inger Katharina Astrup Fredriksen. Together they have accumulated personal property around the world, almost all of which have one common feature: beachfront.
The Beachfront Marbella Mansion was bought from a Persian Queen in the early 90s and said to have housed celebrities such as Bruce Willis and Kevin Costner.
