London-headquartered shipbroker Braemar is planning for expansion in Scotland with a new office.

The team of five brokers has moved to a more modern property in the west end of offshore shipping hub Aberdeen.

Knight Property Group said the open-plan first floor suite at St Swithin Row covers 1,790 square feet.

The London-listed broker has signed a five-year let, having moved from nearby Carden Place.

The Aberdeen office has a focus on vessel chartering activities across the oil and gas and renewables sectors.

Braemar director David Veitch said: “We were keen to remain in the west end and the location of this office meets our needs and provides an excellent base for our expanding business.”

A Braemar spokesman told TradeWinds the new office is “much more fit for purpose — eco-friendly, close to clients, and all the mod cons a modern broker’s office needs.”

"There’s room in the new office for us to expand, and it’s likely that we’ll see headcount grow sooner rather than later," he added.

Brokers will have parking with dedicated electric vehicle charging points, as part of the group's drive to make it easier for staff to adopt more eco-friendly commuting and working practices.

Oil major Shell is currently moving its Aberdeen headquarters from a location on the fringe of the city to a new central location close to Braemar.

And various other oil and gas and renewables companies have opted to move into the same area.

Daniel Mitchell, management surveyor at Knight Property Group, added: “Aberdeen’s west end continues to prove a popular base for many businesses and we are pleased to see Braemar taking occupancy this week.”

St Swithin Row has been refurbished by the property group.

Braemar continues to expand its core shipbroking business, luring away the tanker desk of Spanish broker Medco in December to form Madrid Shipping Advisors.

In the same month, the group grew its Athens office by adding a corporate finance desk, and bought US broker Southport in a $14m cash and shares deal.