Norway's RG Hagland Shipbrokers is adding the Force 3 Offshore (F3O) broking duo Des Hart and Yul Thomson to beef up their Aberdeen offshore support vessels services.
The brokerage said directors and partners Hart and Thomson have entered into a cooperation agreement.
Tracing its roots back to 1872, RG Hagland Shipbrokers is active in offshore, tanker and dry cargo markets.
It was among the pioneers in the Norwegian offshore industry in the early 1970s.
Over the last 35 years the company has developed from a shipbroking company into an owner of dry-cargo vessels, grown an agency business and branched out into real estate.
Their Aberdeen company will be renamed Hagland Offshore UK.
The duo have a "long and well-reputed track record in the subsea and project markets, and their extensive network and expertise will strengthen the group as a whole," said Hagland offshore manager Kenneth Johansen.
They will work closely with Hagland brokers in Haugesund, Esbjerg and Hamburg with immediate effect.
The combined operation now has more than 20 brokers, with 12 devoted to offshore and renewables markets.
"Together we truly believe we will provide one of the best services in the market for both charterers and owners in the oil and gas, renewables and project markets," added Johansen.
F3O, founded in Oslo in 2009, has five others offices worldwide.
Des Hart confirmed to TradeWinds that the deal only encompasses the UK office, 100% owned by him and Thomson.
He added: "We are confident that such an alliance with Hagland will present mutually beneficial synergies going forward, resulting in an enhanced support offering for our rapidly expanding client base."
Last year Hagland formed a joint-venture in the renewables market with North Sea Shipbrokers of Denmark.
The combination was based on a relationship between former Eidesvik chartering manager Tommy Sandtorv, who had previously joined Hagland, and North Sea Shipbrokers boss Anders Helsinghoff Fjord.
Hagland acquired 49% of the company as it changed name to North Sea Hagland Shipbrokers.
The companies also cooperate closely in other relevant areas like subsea, oil and gas, tugs, and sale and purchase.
