John Fredriksen

John Fredriksen (born 11 May 1944) is a Norwegian-born Cypriot oil tanker and shipping billionaire businessman based in the United Arab Emirates. He owns the world's largest oil tanker fleet through his flagship company Frontline plc, and has major interests in the offshore drilling contractor Seadrill, the fish farming company Mowi (the world's largest salmon producer), and the dry bulk shipping company Golden Ocean Group. Through his investment companies Hemen Holdings and Geveran Trading, Fredriksen controls a global maritime empire encompassing oil tankers, dry bulk carriers, liquefied natural gas (LNG) vessels, and offshore drilling rigs. Born in Eidsvoll, Norway, Fredriksen is now a naturalised Cypriot citizen. Before renouncing his Norwegian citizenship in 2006, he was Norway's richest man. As of 2025, Forbes estimates his net worth at US$17 billion, making him one of the wealthiest individuals globally. In 2012, he was included in the 50 Most Influential list of Bloomberg Markets Magazine, and in 2014, Lloyd's List named him among the top 10 most influential people in the global shipping industry.