Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has advised Clarkson plc, a leading provider of global integrated shipping services, in connection with its proposed £281.2m acquisition of the entire issued share capital of RS Platou ASA group, a leading international offshore broker and investment bank headquartered in Oslo, Norway providing high value brokerage, financial and advisory services focused on the offshore and shipping markets.

The acquisition will create a leading global shipping and offshore services group, employing approximately 1,400 people across 21 countries, delivering best-in-class capabilities across Shipping, Offshore, Financial, Support Services and Research.

Freshfields corporate partner James Wood commented: ‘We are delighted to be working with the team at Clarkson on this transformational deal which goes a long way to implementing the company’s strategy to provide their customers with best-in-class end-to-end coverage of all shipping and offshore sectors.’

The total consideration for the transaction is £281.2 million of which 75% is to be satisfied in Clarkson PLC shares, 16.66% in loan notes and 8.34% in cash. The cash consideration and the settlement of the loan notes will be part-funded by Clarkson from the proceeds of the cash box placing which involved the placing of Clarkson PLC shares representing 8.5% of the company’s issued share capital. The transaction remains subject to shareholder approval and certain conditions and is estimated to be completed during the first quarter of 2015.

The Freshfields team is being led by corporate partners James Wood and Chris Mort, supported by Michael Raffan on regulatory, Paul Davison on tax, Nick Squire on employment issues and James Aitken.