In the volatile oil-tanker market, a single WhatsApp message from Sinokor Group’s tycoon Ga-Hyun Chung can trigger significant shifts. The South Korean company, the world’s largest supertanker owner, often starts its communications with a polite greeting: “Dear Ladies and Gentlemen.” Within minutes, these messages become the focal point of the industry, which has been disrupted by the Iran war this year.
The WhatsApp exchanges with shipbrokers typically reveal that one of Sinokor’s vessels has been hired at a record-high rate to transport oil from the Persian Gulf. These updates, though seemingly routine, carry substantial weight in a market where information spreads primarily through word of mouth.
The oil-tanker sector, a multibillion-dollar segment of the energy market, has been thrown into chaos by the ongoing conflict. In this environment, Chung’s messages serve as a critical barometer for industry trends, influencing pricing and logistics across the globe.