Among insiders in New York capital markets, thereis no other plausible explanation for Scorpio unveiling a $200m follow-onshares issues just as Ardmore pulls together its investor book and attempts toprice its own $160m initial public offering on Wednesday.

Bugbee and Scorpio have delivered a punishingattack on the Ireland-based newcomer, which is nonetheless expected to be ableto bring together its flotation and become shipping's newest public companyover the next 24 hours.

The