UK shipbroking giant Clarksons has set up a new dry bulk operation in Brazil by adding four experienced brokers.
The London-listed company said it had recruited a team from domestic shop Leme Chartering, led by Manoel Soares.
The dry cargo division aims to expand its global coverage with the move in Rio de Janeiro.
The brokerage views South America as a strategic focus, with a “well-established and active office” in Rio already covering the offshore and specialised product tanker markets.
The other three recruits are chartering brokers Victor Pantaleao and Lucas Araujo, plus Laura Monnerat, who focuses on post-fixture operations.
Clarksons said all are well known in the Brazilian market.
The idea is to expand the range of services, adding value to clients regionally and globally.
Guy Bartleet, managing director of global handysizes and supramaxes at Clarksons, said: “We’ve always been active across the South America market, and our relationship with Manoel and his team has grown over a number of years.
“It’s fantastic to have their expertise and local knowledge now embedded within Clarksons. We look forward to servicing new and existing clients even more effectively and further developing our position as the world’s biggest dry cargo shipbroker.
“Expanding our global reach is key to Clarksons’ strategy and ensures that we can proactively meet clients’ needs wherever they arise.”
Natural alignment
Soares said the team has a natural alignment with Clarksons in terms of shared ambition for excellence and the adoption of technology to drive greater insight for clients.
“We look forward to maximising the strength of the Clarksons group alongside our experience whilst continuing to build on our relationships with owners and charterers across the spot market, time charters and contracts of affreightment,” he said.
Soares was Leme’s partner and a dry cargo broker in his own right for the past six years.
He was previously partner and head of the dry cargo department at Brazilship/Scanbrasil Comercio Maritimo.
Philippe Wauters — the other member of Leme’s team of five — is not joining Clarksons.
He is the director and owner of consultancy PW Consultoria Empresarial Eireli and was brought in at Leme four years ago as a minority partner to grow the client portfolio.
