Clear Asset extends into maritime
Online auction platform Clear Asset, whose primary online sales focus is in the mining sector, has also been active in the maritime field.
The company's MD and cofounder, Ariella Kuper, has successfully concluded sales in the sphere since 2008. Notable sales include five ships on behalf of Transnet Port Authorities, instructed through law firm Webber Wentzel, including a submarine. Her auctions have also covered arrested cargo, including timber, and 149 passenger taxis from China.
Just after the meltdown of Lehman Brothers in late 2008, Kuper was approached by diamond-mining group Transhex to dispose of a diamond-mining tanker, located in Luderitz, Namibia.
"Through a then embryonic online platform, the Mv Ivan Prinsep was successfully sold to a Russian oil and gas company, with full payment effected within seven working days," comments Kuper.
"This catapulted us into the work of maritime matters that required a more structured 'MBA approach', to ensure global outreach to enhance value for sellers and creditors."