UK shipbroker Clarksons has revealed an alliance with Norwegian shipowner Peak Group to boost its port agency operations.
Clarksons Port Services (CPS) said it has agreed a “mutual strategic collaboration” with the bulker player established in Bergen in 2005.
The group’s Peak Agency provides vessel services along the Norwegian coastline.
“Both businesses will seek opportunities where they can combine their expertise in port agency logistics to expand their reach across the vast expanse of the North Sea,” the partners said.
The companies have combined resources and strategic locations in the UK, Netherlands and Norway.
The deal will create operational efficiencies, leverage expertise and streamline logistics processes in supply chain management, they added.
The idea is to work together to develop sustainable marine logistics solutions with new technologies to meet evolving market demands across the North Sea, the groups said.
“The collaboration will contribute positively to the logistics industry as a whole,” they added.
CPS has more than 140 staff in 19 offices, covering port agency, freight forwarding, project logistics, crew change and bunkering.
Peak Group operates between 20 and 30 dry cargo, project and self-discharging vessels at any one time, ranging in size from 1,000 dwt to 6,000 dwt.
But it also carries out agency work, marine engineering and design, surveying and ship management.
“Through shared opportunities with Peak Agency, collaboration will help the maritime industry to progress. We look forward to broadening our reach across the North Sea and bringing a reinforced port agency service offering to our clients,” CPS director Innes Cameron said.
Peak Group chief executive Jan Petter Slethaug said the cooperation will add value to customers, “enabling us to cover the North Sea for any offshore installation company, drilling contractor or vessel owner”.
