Tue 3 Oct 2017, 12:22 GMT

OTC Europe acquires Oil Brokerage Ltd


'Deal is a sound strategic move', says Oil Brokerage managing director.



OTC Europe, LLP, a subsidiary of independent commodities interdealer broker OTC Global Holdings (OTCGH), today announced the acquisition of Oil Brokerage Ltd, the London-based physical and financial oil products firm.

Established in late 1988, Oil Brokerage specializes in the brokering of fuel oil, LPG, physical gasoline, gasoline components, gasoline swaps, physical naphtha, naphtha swaps and freight futures (FFA) for clients such as major oil companies, oil trading divisions of investment banks and commodity houses as well as other established independent trading concerns and funds. It has more than 70 employees working at offices in London and Singapore.

Oil Brokerage will become one of OTC Europe's brokering groups, joining London-based desks of Aalpha Energy, Ion Energy UK, Choice! UK and P&P Oil; it will have the ability to leverage OTCGH's global network of 20 independent portfolio companies in Chicago, Des Moines, Geneva, Houston, London, Louisville, New Jersey, New York and Singapore as well as technology resources such as the company's EOXLive platform to serve its clients.

Commenting on the acquisition, OTC Europe said: "The acquisition further strengthens OTC Europe's and OTCGH's position as a major global player across all commodity markets by deepening its liquidity pools, product offerings, expertise and information resources in the global physical and financial oil products. Coming on the heels of the formation of OTC Asia in Singapore at the beginning of this year, it also continues OTCGH's geographic expansion and marks another significant milestone for the company as it celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2017."

"Putting these two firms together brings unparalleled value to our clients and employees. Both companies have had incredible success and growth, especially in the last five years when many of our peers in commodities have folded, sold or floundered," said Joe Kelly, OTCGH President and Co-CEO. "While we typically build our own firms, we also have made strategic acquisitions and Oil Brokerage was strong in areas of the market we weren't in yet but saw an opportunity."

"A decade ago we structured our agile and innovative business model with deals like this in mind. This acquisition again exemplifies why that model works as we can bring in a company like Oil Brokerage, allowing them to maintain their independence and ability to offer specialized products while at the same time enjoying the financial, managerial and technological resources needed to compete effectively in today's rapidly changing marketplace," added Kelly.

"This deal is a sound strategic move for our company," commented James McNicol, Oil Brokerage's managing director. "We've had major success in Europe over the years and recently expanded our business in Asia. OB has been pursued by a number of suitors during our nearly 30 years in business, however, the opportunity to accelerate our growth within OTC Global's structure is something we are genuinely excited about and look forward to greatly."


MAmmoSS graphic. Mitsubishi Shipbuilding receives order for ammonia fuel handling system  

MAmmoSS system will support shop testing of ammonia marine engines from two licensors.

Neoliner Origin vessel. Kongsberg Maritime to lead EU Horizon project targeting wind-assisted propulsion at scale  

A 15-partner European consortium will use two full-scale vessel demonstrators to validate wind propulsion technology.

Petrobras logo. Petrobras warns of extended MGO and VLSFO supply suspension at Port of Itaqui  

Fuel distributor announces pipeline maintenance shutdowns affecting both MGO and VLSFO supply.

Richard Berkling, PowerCell Group. PowerCell secures SEK 50m marine fuel cell order for two liquid hydrogen cargo ships  

Swedish fuel cell maker wins contract to power two North Sea hydrogen vessels by 2028.

Wärtsilä hydrogen engine. MatH2 consortium launched to tackle hydrogen materials barriers  

New Finnish-led alliance targets materials compatibility challenges holding back hydrogen adoption.

CMA CGM Berenice vessel. CMA CGM takes delivery of fifth methanol dual-fuel boxship in series from Jiangnan Shipyard  

15,000-teu vessel is the penultimate ship in a six-vessel series due for completion in September.

VeriSphere logo. VPS launches VeriSphere Webshop in push to digitise marine fuel services  

Veritas Petroleum Services unveils self-service digital platform giving customers direct access to fuel data tools.

Titus vessel. ExxonMobil and Wallenius Wilhelmsen complete first trial of biofuel blend made from FAME distillation residue  

Vehicle carrier bunkered in Zeebrugge with B30 VLSFO blend.

Chimbusco and Shenergy green methanol agreement signing. 'China’s largest single-order green methanol procurement deal' announced  

Chimbusco and Shenergy seal agreement for 6,000 tonnes of methanol.

Moriond vessel. Exmar takes delivery of third dual-fuel LPG midsize gas carrier in newbuild programme  

Belgian shipping group Exmar takes delivery of the 41,000-cbm LPG carrier Moriond.