Lim Oon Kuin: Biography, Career, and Business Insights

Lim Oon Kuin’s Profile Summary

Company	Hin Leong Trading
Position	Lim Oon Kuin, commonly referred to as O.K. Lim, was the Founder and Chairman of Hin Leong Trading, a Singapore-based oil trading company.
Source of wealth	Lim Oon Kuin’s wealth primarily stemmed from oil trading, bunkering services, and shipping operations through Hin Leong Trading and its subsidiary, Ocean Tankers
Also known as	Philanthropist, Shipping magnate, Oil trader.
Age	83
Education	Not publicly documented or unavailable.
Citizenship	Singapore
Residence	Singapore
Family	Lim Oon Kuin has two children, Evan Lim Chee Meng and Lim Huey Ching.
Website, Social Media	http://www.hinleong.com.sg

Lim Oon Kuin’s biography

Lim Oon Kuin was born in 1942 and began his career as a small-time supplier of diesel to fishing vessels in Singapore in 1963. Over the decades, he transformed this modest operation into Hin Leong Trading, which became one of the largest independent oil traders in Asia. Lim expanded the company globally, building it into a business that reported a revenue of over $20 billion in 2019. He also founded Ocean Tankers, a subsidiary focused on shipping, which was run by his son Evan Lim. However, his business empire crumbled in 2020 due to the collapse in oil prices and subsequent revelations of over $800 million in hidden losses. This led to the company filing for bankruptcy, and Lim faced multiple charges, including forgery and fraud, following accusations of concealing the company’s financial state from creditors. Despite these challenges, his early contributions to Singapore’s oil trading industry were significant, and he was once regarded as a prominent figure in the business world.

How did Lim Oon Kuin make money?

Lim Oon Kuin makes money in the following areas:

Lim Oon Kuin’s wealth primarily stemmed from oil trading, bunkering services, and shipping operations through Hin Leong Trading and its subsidiary, Ocean Tankers
What is Lim Oon Kuin net worth?

As of 2025, there is no publicly available and reliable information regarding Lim Oon Kuin’s net worth.

What is Lim Oon Kuin also known as?

Lim Oon Kuin was also recognized for his significant contributions to the shipping industry, having founded Ocean Tankers, a key player in maritime logistics and tanker operations. Beyond his business ventures, Lim was involved in philanthropy, contributing to various causes in Singapore, particularly in education and healthcare. His influence extended through his corporate leadership and charitable efforts, cementing his status as an influential figure both in business and social impact

Prominent achievements of Lim Oon Kuin

Lim Oon Kuin built Hin Leong Trading into one of Singapore’s largest independent oil trading firms with revenues reaching $20 billion at its peak. He was recognized for his significant influence in Singapore’s oil and shipping sectors. He also established Ocean Tankers, contributing to his reputation as a shipping magnate. However, his career ended in legal controversies following the bankruptcy of Hin Leong, and he faced multiple charges including forgery

What are Lim Oon Kuin’s key insights?

Lim Oon Kuin's business approach was characterized by bold, high-risk strategies. He expanded Hin Leong through aggressive trading moves and built a reputation as a risk-taker, often making large bets on the direction of oil prices. This strategy brought significant growth but ultimately led to the company's downfall when those risks failed to pay off. His focus was on fast growth and seizing market opportunities, even in highly volatile situations. However, this approach, which had once brought him success, contributed to the collapse of his empire

Lim Oon Kuin’s personal life

Lim Oon Kuin's family has played significant roles in his business operations. His son, Evan Lim Chee Meng, and his daughter, Lim Huey Ching, were both directors at Hin Leong Trading and its subsidiary, Ocean Tankers. They have been involved in managing the family’s businesses but also faced legal challenges alongside their father due to the collapse of the company. As part of legal settlements, they were held accountable for substantial debts incurred by Hin Leong, with their assets being frozen

Useful insights

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Nassim Nicholas Taleb – "The Black Swan"
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