John Fredriksen has stopped doing business with the world’s leading shipbroker Clarksons Platou.
Fredriksen confirms the decision but is refusing to elaborate on the reasons for the remarkable move, which apparently is linked to how he perceives developments at the broking house.
“I have worked with Clarksons for 50 years,” Fredriksen said.
Reports of the relationship going sour was prompted by the fact that Peter Anker, head of Clarksons Platou in Norway, was not invited to the shipowner’s prestigious Christmas luncheon at Theatercafeen in Oslo last Friday.
Anker has been a regular guest at the annual event in previous years.
Fredriksen confirms that his group no longer does any business with Clarksons Platou worldwide.
Sources in Norway have suggested that this is due to Clarksons broking two jack up rigs to Fredriksen’s former right hand man Tor Olav Troim, a deal that TradeWinds reported on last week.
But TradeWinds is told this is not the reason for the boycott of Clarksons. Anker does not want to comment on customer relations.
Fredriksen’s move is a blow to Clarksons Platou, but probably means new business for other broking houses - including Fredriksen’s own sale and purchase shop, set up in partnership with Arctic Securities earlier this year.
The shipowner’s empire spans tanker giant Frontline, bulker company Golden Ocean Group, supply ship owner Deep Sea Supply and rig company Seadrill.
Fredriksen is now on his way for a trip to the Far East over Christmas.
