Newly merged shipbroker Ifchor Galbraiths (IG) has made its first acquisition by buying Norwegian offshore specialist Uno Offshore.
The brokerage said it will be taking on the seven-strong team, which is based in Bergen and Haugesund.
Uno Offshore will be renamed IG Offshore.
The offshore brokerage, which was set up in 2010, is headed up by managing director Hans Christensen, a former managing director of Norwegian shipbroking house Lorentzen & Stemoco.
It focuses on providing chartering, newbuilding, sale and purchase, research and consulting services related to the oil and gas sector.
IG co-chief executive Bjorn Andersen said: “We are delighted to bring Hans and his experienced team into the IG family.”
Andersen said the Uno team has “been successful through a difficult period in the offshore market”.
He said IG now firmly believes that the sector has “strong fundamentals and a positive outlook”.
“We already have a significant market presence in the international offshore renewables sector through our 50% partnership with GRS Offshore Renewables (GRS) and we see exciting new opportunities and synergies with the two businesses,” he said.
“Our vision is to build a robust, competitive, international shipbroking network capable of servicing our client base across all sectors and geographical locations.”
Christensen described it as “an exciting day”.
“By becoming part of one of the largest and fastest-growing global shipbroking groups, we will be able to grow our footprint and increase the breadth and depth of the services we offer,” he said.
“We look forward to leveraging on our current position and growing IG Offshore to meet our clients’ demands and are excited by the prospects ahead.”
Ifchor and Galbraiths announced their merger in 2022, finalising it at the start of this year.
The company said that with the acquisition of Uno it now has offices in 23 locations and over 300 employees and is already active in the dry bulk, tanker, S&P, renewable and carbon advisory sectors.
