John Fredriksen: Tanker king

About this episode

<p>Norwegian shipping magnate John Fredriksen once owned the world’s largest fleet of oil tankers. He made billions shipping goods round the globe and was unafraid of high-risk deals. BBC business editor Simon Jack and journalist Zing Tsjeng explain how Fredriksen began as a ship broker, then dabbled in oil trading, before entering the most profitable part of the oil trade – ship owning. Once known for rowdy parties and sending his ships into war zones, he reformed his reputation after an oil spill made him pioneer improved industry safety standards. Good Bad Billionaire is the podcast that explores the lives of the super-rich and famous, tracking their wealth, philanthropy, business ethics and success. There are leaders who made their money in Silicon Valley, on Wall Street and in high street fashion. From iconic celebrities and CEOs to titans of technology, the podcast unravels tales of fortune, power, economics, ambition and moral responsibility, before asking the audience to decide if they are good, bad, or just billionaires.</p><p>To contact the team, email goodbadbillionaire@bbc.com or send a text or WhatsApp to +1 (917) 686-1176. Find out more about the show and read our privacy notice at www.bbcworldservice.com/goodbadbillionaire</p>