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Clarkson PLC (“Clarksons” or the “Company” and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”) announces that it is in discussions with the board of RS Platou ASA (“Platou” and together with its subsidiaries, the “Platou Group”) regarding the possible acquisition of all of the issued share capital of Platou.

Given the complementary activities, in terms of geographic locations, operations and industry specialisation, the boards of both Clarksons and Platou believe the enhanced offering of the combined business positions the enlarged group as a leading integrated global shipping and offshore group. Whilst discussions regarding the combination of these two businesses continue, there can be no certainty that any transaction will occur.

Under Listing Rule 5, Clarksons is required to provide certain information regarding Platou to ensure that there is sufficient information available to the public with regard to the proposed transaction in order to avoid a suspension of the Company’s shares. As Platou is not subject to a public disclosure regime, the information required under LR 5.6.15G is set out below.

<strong>Information on the Platou Group</strong>

<strong>Introduction</strong>

The Platou Group is a leading international broker and investment bank focused on the offshore and shipping markets, providing high value brokerage, financial and advisory services to shipping and offshore companies globally. Established in Oslo, Norway in 1936, Platou now operates from 18 offices located in key global shipping and financial centres with approximately 370 employees.

<strong>Business overview</strong>

The Platou Group’s business comprises four divisions: Offshore, Shipbroking, Investment Banking and Project Finance. These core services are complemented by a variety of research capabilities including market reports and company specific research prepared by the respective economic research groups within the Offshore, Shipbroking and Investment Banking divisions.

<strong>Offshore</strong>

The Offshore division advises clients in the offshore oil and gas industry on the chartering, sale and purchase and newbuild construction of all major types of offshore vessels including offshore support vessels, drilling units, sub-sea/construction vessels and field development vessels. The Offshore division also provides advisory and valuation services, market intelligence and analysis, working closely with vessel owners, oil and gas companies, shipyards, designers and maritime architects, class authorities, investors and financial institutions.

For the year ended 31 December 2013, the Offshore division generated total revenues of approximately NOK 355.6 million (representing approximately 27.6% of the Platou Group’s total
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revenue for the year) and operating profit after bonuses of NOK 79.6 million (representing approximately 25.0% of the Platou Group’s total operating profit for the year).

<strong>Shipbroking</strong>

The Shipbroking division serves clients in the shipping industry by providing broking services in connection with the chartering, sale and purchase and newbuild construction of dry cargo, container, tanker and more specialised vessels, as well as providing research regarding the shipping industry through its Economic Research department.

On 5 November 2014, the members of RS Platou LLP and RS Platou Energy LLP (the “LLPs”), in both of which Platou holds a 51 per cent. interest, resolved, among other things, to wind-up the LLPs from 31 December 2014. The LLPs have agreed to transfer substantially all of their assets to a new entity, established by their respective existing members (other than Platou) (the “RS Platou LLP Transaction”). In connection with the RS Platou LLP Transaction, Platou has acquired the shares in Platou held by certain of the existing members of the LLPs. Completion of the RS Platou LLP Transaction is expected to occur on 31 December 2014, subject to certain conditions. If completion of the RS Platou LLP Transaction does not occur on 31 December 2014, the LLPs will nonetheless be wound up in accordance with the resolutions above. Consequently, in accordance with LR 5.6.15G, additional information on the assets being transferred pursuant to the RS Platou LLP Transaction has also been included below. The LLPs are based in London and form part of the Platou Group’s Shipbroking division with a focus on specific sub-sectors of the shipping market.

For the year ended 31 December 2013, the Shipbroking division generated total revenues of approximately NOK 295.3 million (representing approximately 22.9% of the Platou Group’s total revenue for the year) and operating profit after bonuses of NOK 21.5 million (representing approximately 6.7% of the Platou Group’s total operating profit for the year). For the year ended 31 December 2013, the Shipbroking division included the trading results of the businesses to be disposed of pursuant to the RS Platou LLP Transaction. These businesses contributed total revenues of approximately NOK 74.7 million (representing approximately 5.8% of the Platou Group’s total revenue for the year) and operating profit after bonuses of NOK 20.8 million (representing approximately 6.5% of the Platou Group’s total operating profit for the year), which in relation to the revenue figure includes contracts which are remaining within RS Platou LLP in the amount of US$2.0 million.

<strong>Investment Banking</strong>

The Investment Banking division offers a range of financial advisory services to its global clients under licences in both Norway and the USA. Specialising in the energy, shipping and oil service sectors, the Investment Banking division offers services including equity and fixed income sales and trading, equity and credit research and corporate finance services focusing on the Platou Group’s core maritime sectors. The Investment Banking division advises clients on a range of equity and debt capital market and M&amp;A transactions, and for the year ended 31 December 2013, the Investment Banking division participated in 31 equity and debt capital market transactions and five M&amp;A transactions with a combined value of US$7.4 billion.

For the year ended 31 December 2013, the Investment Banking division generated total revenues of approximately NOK 564.3 million (representing approximately 43.9% of the Platou Group’s total revenue for the year) and operating profit after bonuses of NOK 200.6 million (representing approximately 62.9% of the Platou Group’s total operating profit for the year).

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