Two Aberdeen-based shipping services companies could be merged if an acquisition deal between their parent companies gets over the line, a source close to the negotiations said.
Clarkson plc, the operator of Aberdeen marine industry specialist EnShip, yesterday said it is in talks to buy Norway’s RS Platou ASA, which in 2008 acquired shipbroker Stewart Group, also headquartered in the Granite City.
Clarkson, which has 42 offices worldwide and more than 1,000 employees, bought EnShip in late-2011, absorbing assets worth £3million in the process.
Platou has 18 offices worldwide and 370 staff. It divides its business into four divisions: offshore, shipbroking, investment banking and project finance.
The offshore branch of Oslo-based Platou reported total revenues of £33million for 2013, and operating profits of £7.5million, which made up about a quarter of the company’s total.
The source told the Press & Journal that a merger between EnShip and Stewart Group is likely, adding that the deal would be “complementary” and would not lead to job losses.
Clarkson said in a separate statement: “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.”
The value of Clarkson’s shares had risen by 2.11% as of Friday afternoon.