Chapter 6 (Part 2) "The Breaking Darkness"

Mr. White was quick to understand.

He said that the feeder ships Ocean required would not end with just these five vessels. Due to the oil shock, they too had to urgently build smaller ships to connect to feeder ports, alongside the trend of upsizing container ships that linked major ports.

With the 1973 oil shock, marine fuel prices soared, making it urgent to build new ships. First, they had to shift from high-speed turbine engines to fuel-efficient diesel engines.

Furthermore, it was an absolute requirement to dramatically increase the ships' operating time by using speedy container ships instead of cargo ships that took time to load and unload.

Containers, which made "Door to Door" possible, revolutionized global logistics.

It is said that containers began during World War II when the Allied forces modified tankers to transport weapons.

This container concept was proposed by the founder of Ocean, and in 1960, he became the first in the world to launch a shipping company based on containerization.

――Connecting from the Atlantic, across the American continent, to the Pacific――

Their company name was chosen with the desire to bridge the two oceans across the continent.

When Mr. White was stationed in Tokyo for three years as the Japan branch manager, he developed Japanese clients and investigated small and medium-sized shipbuilders to find good partners for them.

During that time, he learned of Fusoh Shipbuilding through an introduction from Dongjin Shipping in South Korea and initially ordered three ships. At that time, he met Yoshida and Ogata several times; although he thought it was a company that only had a track record of building fishing boats, Fusoh Shipbuilding's capabilities were outstanding.

These five new ships were the prototype for the feeder fleet they operated. Therefore, they had partnered with the world-renowned Annex, and it was truly a venture on which the company's fate depended.

They had to be built and introduced to the market as soon as possible. In that sense, Fusoh was an important partner.

While Ogata was calling from the hotel, Mr. White told him, "Prepare to return home immediately and come to the office," while simultaneously giving instructions to his secretary beside the phone.

He was even arranging for them to get reservations on the earliest flight so that Ogata and his team could return to Japan.

Finally, he gave Ogata words that would become the most unforgettable of his life.

"Mr. Ogata, I have lived in the world of shipping, and I believe the most important thing is to build ships that satisfy the customer. For that, you need the best partner. In that regard, I am convinced that your shipyard can become the best partner. Never give up, Good Luck!"

Ogata was deeply moved by those words. All he could manage to say was "Thank you."

Thus, Ogata checked out of the hotel, headed to Ocean, and signed the basic agreement along with Annex. From there, he was able to head straight to Kennedy International Airport.

At 5:00 PM on Thursday, March 3rd, American time, Ogata left the finalization of the specifications to Murata and Orito and flew to Tokyo alone on ANA.

I thought about calling from the airport, but I ended up boarding the plane as planned. However, my mind was more turbulent than the shaking of the aircraft. What on earth is the president doing...

When I called, Fumiko said nothing, and the more I thought about it alone, the more depressed I became.

But when I thought about the two people left behind in New York, and of course the design team waiting for my return in Yokkaichi, my natural competitive spirit began to well up, telling me that I couldn't let this get to me.

But that was only for a moment; the view of Manhattan from the plane ignited a fire in Ogata's heart.

The city that never sleeps spreading out below was a crucible of desire, as well as a battlefield where soldiers from all over the world vied for supremacy.

Succeeding there was also Ogata's dream as a shipbuilder.

(To be continued)

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