Clarksons in talks to acquire RS Platou

Clarskons said it was it was in discussions with the board of Platou over the possible acquisition of all the share capital of the Oslo-headquartered firm.

“Given the complementary activities, in terms of geographic locations, operations and industry specialisation, the boards of both Clarksons and Platou believe the enhanced offering of the combined business positions the enlarged group as a leading integrated global shipping and offshore group,” Clarksons said in a statement.

Platou has 18 offices worldwide and employs around 370 people, while Clarkson has 42 offices and 1,085 employees. Platou’s business comprises four division: offshore, shipbroking, investment banking and project finance. Clarksons divides its business into broking, finance, port services and research.

Should the acquisition come to fruition it would mark another major consolidation in the shipbroking and services sector following Braemar Shipping Services merger with ACM Shipbroking, which was completed in July this year, creating Braemar ACM Shipbroking.