Clarksons to establish a permanent office in India.

(From Lloyds List)

Byline: Move follows liberalisation of the nation's tanker market, writes Tony Gray

GLOBALISATION of the Clarksons empire is continuing, with the world's largest shipbroking and shipping services group set to establish a permanent liaison office in India for its tanker chartering business.

The decision coincides with a liberalisation of the Indian tanker market, with oil companies given permission to bypass the government broker.

Clarksons has recruited Rob Lowe, a tanker broker from London rival Galbraith's, to run the the liaison office. He is expected to move to New Delhi in about six months.

Chief executive Richard Fulford-Smith explained that Clarksons had so far worked the Indian market from London.

The decision to set up an office reflected the growing importance of India and companies such as Indian Oil Corp and Shipping Corporation of India.