Clarksons

Established in 2014, Clarksons Platou Nederland B.V. is primarily focused on providing broking services to the seaborne, projects and barging Specialised Products markets and is located in the centre of Rotterdam.

Shipping powers the global economy, transporting raw materials and finished goods into homes, plants and factories worldwide. Around 85% of world trade is carried on ships – equivalent to more than a tonne of cargo for every individual on the planet, every year.

The world’s leading provider of integrated shipping services, we work with our clients to achieve their business objectives across all aspects of this complex and dynamic business.

Through Clarksons Platou Futures we offer comprehensive FFA (Forward Freight Agreement) and specialist commodity derivative broking services to shipping companies, banks, investment houses and other institutions seeking to manage freight exposure by increasing or reducing risk.

We evaluate a client’s total portfolio of contracts, identify the market and counterparty risks and help them in their decision to adopt bespoke risk management solutions.

Having pioneered the first freight derivative products in the early 1990s, we still dominate the market and have a deserved reputation for sound consultation and best-in-class execution.
Vivek Naphray
Director, Clarksons Platou Futures

FFAs are financial instruments traded on a principal-to-principal basis, primarily against the timecharter averages for Capesize, Panamax, Supramax and Handysize vessels. Our dedicated freight options team is also able to provide a full range of options’ strategies, tailored to individual client requirements.

Building on our success with FFAs, in the last decade we have expanded our team to one of the largest in the sector and extended our expertise into new areas including iron ore swaps which enable banks, traders, producers and consumers to manage risk and exposure to one of the world’s largest dry bulk trades.

It includes people drawn from mainstream shipping who have first-hand knowledge of the physical shipping markets as well as those who have trained in the financial sector and know how those markets operate. This combination gives us unrivalled expertise and knowledge – essential ingredients in our ability to help clients realise their objectives in this fast-moving and volatile business.

Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, we are a founder member of the FFA Brokers Association and apply the highest levels of oversight to all aspects of the business.