307: Chapter 307 Arctic Heatwave

Copenhagen mornings always carry the humidity of the Baltic Sea.

The Maersk headquarters building, located in the city center, is a modern glass structure. In the top-floor office, CEO Søren Skou is reviewing a report.

The 68-year-old Skou is a legend in the shipping industry. He has worked in this field for forty years, having experienced the container revolution, the wave of globalization, and the impact of the financial crisis. He has seen too many tides rise and fall.

But at this moment, the report in his hand made him silent.

Arctic Sea Route Trial Evaluation Report

Shanghai Municipality - Hamburg, traditional Suez route: 21 days

Shanghai Municipality - Hamburg, Arctic Sea Route: 15 days

Voyage savings: 6 days

Fuel savings: 25%

Carbon emission reduction: 30%

He looked up and asked the Chief Strategy Officer: "What are the terms for Xingchen's 'Arctic Navigation Package'?"

"Navigation system plus meteorological services plus icebreaker scheduling, a package deal of $1.2 million per ship per year. Sign for three years and get one year free."

Skou was silent for three seconds.

As the helmsman of the world's largest shipping company, he knew exactly what this meant. $1.2 million is a drop in the bucket for a giant like Maersk. But the six days of saved voyage time meant that each trip could run half a trip more. Over a year, profits could increase by several hundred million.

"Sign it."

The Chief Strategy Officer was stunned for a second: "No need for board discussion?"

Skou shook his head.

"Discuss what? This is a math problem."

3:00 PM, Shanghai Municipality.

The COSCO Shipping Building sits by the Huangpu River, overlooking the entire Lujiazui area from here. Wan Min stood by the window, watching the cargo ships coming and going on the river.

The 55-year-old Wan Min is a young and promising member of the Chinese shipping industry. He became a captain at thirty, entered management at forty, and took the helm of COSCO Shipping Holdings at fifty. His style is rational, decisive, and never dragging.

On the large screen is a news flash about Maersk signing the deal.

"Maersk signed," he said. "Are we following suit?"

There were a dozen people in the conference room. Someone hesitated: "The Arctic Sea Route still has risks; ice conditions are unpredictable, and rescue is difficult..."

"Risk?" Wan Min interrupted him. "Maersk is number one in the world. They dared to sign because the data proves it's feasible. We don't need to recalculate the accounts they've already calculated."

He paused.

"If we don't sign, our European route costs will be six days' worth of fuel fees higher than theirs next year. How will customers choose?"

The conference room was silent for three seconds.

"Sign it."

9:00 AM, Germany.

The Hapag-Lloyd headquarters is an old building with mottled exterior walls, but the internal equipment is top-notch. CEO Rolf Habben Jansen sat at his desk with two reports in front of him.

On the left is a letter from the Suez Canal Authority: transit fees will increase by 5% next year.

On the right is Xingchen's Arctic package quote: $1.2 million per year.

Jansen laughed.

The 58-year-old Jansen is German, rigorous in his work, and likes to crunch numbers. He picked up a calculator and pressed a few buttons.

"One price hike from the Suez is enough to buy a three-year Arctic package."

He picked up the phone: "Send a confirmation letter to Xingchen; we're signing."

4:00 PM, Geneva.

The Mediterranean Shipping Company headquarters is located on the shores of Lake Geneva; opening the window allows one to see the Alps in the distance. CEO Søren Toft stood by the window, listening to the Chief Strategy Officer's report.

The 55-year-old Toft is Italian, passionate and unrestrained, but never ambiguous in business.

"Maersk, COSCO, and Hapag-Lloyd have all signed. We..."

Toft raised his hand to interrupt.

"I know. Sign it."

He paused.

"Tell Xingchen we want the highest-level package—priority icebreaker scheduling all year round. We can pay extra."

8:00 PM, Egypt.

The President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah, sat in his office with four reports on his desk.

Maersk signed.

COSCO signed.

Hapag-Lloyd signed.

Mediterranean Shipping signed.

The four giants account for 60% of global container capacity.

The Secretary of the Treasury stood nearby, his voice trembling: "Mr. President, the freight volume of the Suez Canal has already dropped by 7% last month. Next month, it will be even worse."

Fattah was silent.

The 70-year-old Fattah is from a military background, served as Air Force Commander, has seen war, seen peace, seen the canal blocked, and seen the canal reopened. He thought he had seen it all.

But at this moment, he realized he was wrong.

"Send a letter to Xingchen," he finally spoke. "Request cooperation."

10:00 AM, Shenzhen, Xingchen Heavy Industry press conference.

Gao Mingxuan stood on the stage with a huge Arctic map behind him.

The 45-year-old Gao Mingxuan is wearing dark blue work clothes, looking more like an engineer than a CEO. But the words he spoke made the representatives of the shipping giants in the audience hold their breath.

"Everyone, today Xingchen announces the Arctic Sea Route year-round navigation plan."

The large screen displayed the schedule.

2019: Navigation period extended to five months (June-October)

2021: Navigation period extended to seven months (May-November)

2023: Achieve year-round navigation (normalized nuclear-powered icebreaker escort)

A reporter raised a hand: "Mr. Gao, what does year-round navigation mean?"

Gao Mingxuan smiled.

"It means that from Shanghai Municipality to Hamburg, you can travel in fifteen days all year round. The twenty-one days of the Suez Canal will become history."

In the audience, the representatives of the four giants looked at each other.

Someone whispered: "Good thing we signed early."

2:00 PM, Singapore.

This white building is located at the end of Orchard Road and is one of Singapore's landmarks. In the reception room, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken sat on the sofa, opposite Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

The 64-year-old Blinken is a senior diplomat, suave and cautious in his wording. But in front of Lee Hsien Loong, he felt like he was punching cotton.

"Mr. Prime Minister, the United States is very concerned about recent developments in Southeast Asia." Blinken's wording was cautious. "Vietnam's comprehensive cooperation with Xingchen may affect regional balance."

Lee Hsien Loong smiled.

The 65-year-old Lee Hsien Loong is Singapore's third-generation leader, having inherited his father's wisdom and the family's mission. His smile never meant agreement.

"Mr. Secretary of State, Singapore's position has always been—balance. We have deep cooperation with the United States, and we also have normal business dealings with Xingchen."

Blinken leaned forward: "We hope Singapore can... clarify its position."

Lee Hsien Loong still smiled.

"Singapore's position is very clear: develop the economy, improve people's livelihoods. Whoever can help Singapore achieve this, we will cooperate with them."

Blinken was silent for two seconds.

"Including Xingchen?"

Lee Hsien Loong stood up.

"Including any enterprise that can bring value to Singapore."

He walked to Blinken and extended his hand.

"Mr. Secretary of State, dinner is ready. Let's not talk about business, only friendship."

Blinken shook his hand, still wearing a smile on his face.

But that smile was already a bit stiff.

10:00 AM, Manila.

The US Embassy in the Philippines is located on the shores of Manila Bay, a white colonial-style building. In the reception room, Blinken waited for twenty minutes.

Duterte finally arrived.

The 75-year-old Duterte was wearing a floral shirt. When he entered, he smiled and said: "Sorry, Mr. Secretary of State. I was just on the phone with a representative from Xingchen."

Blinken's expression changed slightly.

"Mr. President, the United States deeply values its alliance with the Philippines." He got straight to the point. "We hope that at this critical moment, the Philippines can stick to its position."

Duterte's smile faded.

"What position?"

"Not to engage in strategic cooperation with Xingchen."

Duterte laughed.

He laughed loudly, and the whole room could hear it.

"Mr. Secretary of State, the Philippines has the world's second-largest nickel ore reserves. Xingchen is willing to help us build nickel refineries, battery material factories, and new energy vehicle factories. They can give the Philippines a complete industrial chain."

He stood up and walked to the window.

Outside the window, the sunset over Manila Bay was unfolding. The golden sunlight spilled over the sea, breathtakingly beautiful.

Duterte turned his back to Blinken.

"What can the United States give us? A few retired Coast Guard ships? A few thousand study abroad quotas? Or the annual 'Balikatan' military exercise?"

Blinken wanted to say something, but Duterte had already turned around.

He looked straight into Blinken's eyes.

"Mr. Secretary of State, the Philippines does not pick sides. But the Philippines needs to develop. Whoever helps us develop, we will cooperate with them."

He paused.

"If the United States can offer the same conditions, we can also talk. Can you?"

Blinken was silent.

He opened his mouth but found he had nothing to say.

Duterte laughed.

"Then there's nothing to talk about."

4:00 PM, Manila International Airport.

Blinken's private plane was parked on the runway. It was a Boeing C-32, the same model as the US presidential plane, and the blue and white livery was particularly striking in the sunset.

An assistant asked: "Mr. Secretary of State, do you want to go to Jakarta and Bangkok?"

Blinken shook his head.

"No need. Indonesia and Thailand have already sent people to Shenzhen."

He boarded the gangway and stopped at the cabin door.

He looked back at the Manila skyline.

The sunset was sinking in the west, painting the whole city gold. In the distance, in Manila Bay, several cargo ships were sailing out of the port.

"We lost this round," he muttered.

The assistant didn't hear clearly: "Sir?"

Blinken didn't answer.

He walked into the cabin.

The gangway retracted, and the cabin door closed.

The plane took off and disappeared into the clouds.

8:00 PM, Xingchen Headquarters.

Lin Wan pushed open the door to Su Chen's office.

Su Chen stood by the window, watching the lights of Shenzhen. The nights in this city are never quiet.

"ASEAN side: Indonesia and Thailand delegations arrive tomorrow. The Philippine special envoy has already agreed on the framework for nickel mining cooperation, with the signing expected next week, amounting to about $8 billion."

Su Chen nodded.

"Arctic side: All four major shipping giants have signed the 'Arctic Navigation Package', with a total contract value of about $500 million per year. The President of Egypt sent a letter of appeal, requesting emergency assistance."

Su Chen turned around.

"How to reply?"

Lin Wan looked at him.

"Xingchen is willing to help upgrade the Suez Canal. Using our AI scheduling system, we can increase transit efficiency by 30%. The condition is—Egypt transfers some shares of the canal company."

Su Chen laughed.

"This is asking them to dig their own foundation?"

Lin Wan shook her head.

"No. It's making them accept reality. After the Arctic Sea Route opens, the status of the Suez Canal will decline, but it won't disappear. After the upgrade, at least half of the business can be preserved."

Su Chen walked back to the window.

"Ten ASEAN countries, 600 million people. Arctic Sea Route, the lifeline of global shipping. We have broken both of these situations."

Lin Wan stood beside him.

"The Secretary of State's plane has just taken off. Destination: Guam."

Su Chen laughed.

"Let him go. He will soon understand—this world is no longer the way he imagined it."

Outside the window, the night was deep.

That night, the United States announced an increase of 30,000 troops in Japan, South Korea, and Guam to deal with the changes in Southeast Asia.