Clarksons want to buy rival RS Platou?

Shipbroking giant Clarksons will buy Norwegian rival RS Platou? Could that be a rare thing in the world of mergers & acquisitions? All three of the shipbroking market’s “big beasts” at the heart of the proposed transaction have a lot to gain from a successful conclusion of the negotiations now under way.
Andi Case, Clarksons’ boss, it would take his firm a further stride ahead of the chasing pack, just as rival Braemar beds in its recent ACM Shipping purchase.
Clarksons would significantly enhance investment banking and offshore broking operations with Platou’s strong teams in those sectors.
Clarkson’s plans to expand into investment banking has a chequered history, while Platou has hit pay-dirt with the division earning nearly two-thirds of group profit last year. Richard Fulford-Smith, RS Platou boss Mr.Anker’s partner in London, for the past five years, would split off with the specialist broking team he’s virtually hand-picked, giving them the inventive to take their own operation to the next level.
RS Platou boss Peter Anker and his partner Fulford-Smith have now agreed their part of the deal, with the operation to be spun off at the end of year.
Clarkson's boss Andi Case and RS Platou boss Peter Anker to settle on a price, and win approval of their boards. Certainly, the addition of RS Platou’s strengths to Clarksons’ broader core shipbroking and research power would build a better service base for shipowners and their backers.
Savvy shipowners don’t like being backed into a corner and given limited choice of anything. Shipowners will want to spread their risk and get the market’s best priced deal. That’s an issue which will test the big three’s skills to the limit.