Reputable market sources claim Paulson & Co and other influential stakeholders are urging the US tanker operator to explore the possibility of a merger between its domestic shipping division and the Oslo-quoted compatriot.

The same contacts tell TradeWinds that OSG and AMSC have started to discuss the merits of a marriage but note formal negotiations are not yet underway.

"The discussions are active and ongoing but I wouldn't term these 'negotiations', not at this stage," added one individual when pressed for a status report in early November.

“This