Nordic American Offshore has readied a poison pill, just weeks after the Scorpio Group took a leading position at the company.

Under a shareholder rights agreement approved by the board existing investors will get the right to acquire additional stock should an unauthorized outsider acquire 15% or more of the Emanuele Lauro-led company.

"The board has adopted this rights agreement to protect shareholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics," a 26 December Securities and Exchange Commission filing outlining the terms read.