Small Beginnings

The story of BW Maritime is largely the chronicle of one man’s dream, determination and achievement. In 1978, “YK” Pao was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II, and in 2003 he was selected by the readers of shipping magazine Fairplay as “the most influential person in shipping in 120 years”. Sir YK was barely 30 years old in 1948 when he moved from Shanghai to Hong Kong, armed only with ambition and entrepreneurial talent. With friends and family he began the World-Wide Steamship Company Limited in 1955.
The first ship, the Golden Alpha, was joined in quick succession by a further five vessels. They were all put on period charters with Japanese and Hong Kong companies. This was an unorthodox step at that time, but with freight rates rising following the closure of the Suez Canal in 1956, and the admission of Japan into the United Nations, the business boomed. It was not to be the last time that bold decision-making was rewarded with financial success.		Sir Yue-kong's first ship, the Golden Alpha.