Interim Results

Clarkson PLC
5 September 2001



                   EMBARGOED UNTIL 07.00 WEDNESDAY 05.09.01



                                  CLARKSONS
            INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 30 JUNE 2001


Clarkson PLC, which is the world's largest shipbroking and shipping services
group, today announces interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2001.

  * Turnover up 49% to £23.3 million (2000: £15.6 million).
  * Profit before tax increased 153% to £4.8 million (2000: £1.9 million).
  * Earnings per share increased 144% to 21.0 pence from 8.6 pence.
  * Acquisition of a 49% shareholding in prominent European shipbroking
    company Agence General d'Affretement (AGA Cofimar).
  * Strong forward order book.
  * Interim dividend increased 140% to 6.0 pence (2000: 2.5 pence).


MICHAEL BECKETT, CHAIRMAN OF CLARKSON PLC, COMMENTED:

'Although the first six months witnessed a market slow down, which has
continued thoughout the summer, our operating divisions continue to perform
well. Our extended product range and the market's increasing awareness of the
added value provided by our researchers and analysts consolidate our leading
position in core activities.

'Further expansion of our main business in shipbroking and the repositioning
of the group, given increased diversification over the past eighteen months,
should make us less reliant on 'spot' shipping freight markets. In the first
six months we added significantly to our strong forward orderbook, which
should cushion our results against the impact of any slowdown in world
economic activity.

'With many new in-house projects currently being developed we also remain
committed to making significant strategic acquisitions to enhance shareholder
value. This commitment includes a return into shipmanagement following our
exit from Univan.'

                                                              4 September 2001

Enquiries:

CLARKSON PLC
Tel: [phone]
Robert Ward
Gary Weston

CITIGATE DEWE ROGERSON
Tel: [phone]
Sarah Bagnall
Barnaby Fry



                       CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT AND REVIEW

                                 INTRODUCTION

The unaudited pre-tax profit for the first six months increased to £4.8
million compared with £1.9 million for the corresponding period of 2000.
Turnover was 49% higher at £23.3 million (2000 interim: £15.6 million).
Earnings per share increased to 21.0 pence per share (2000 interim: 8.6 pence
per share). Accordingly the directors are recommending an increase in the
interim dividend, to 6.00 pence per share (2000 interim: 2.50 pence per
share).

Further expansion of its core business and the repositioning of the group over
the past eighteen months has made us less reliant on 'spot' shipping freight
markets, as we increasingly focus on higher quality forward order book
enhancing business.

                             REVIEW OF OPERATIONS

The sale and purchase division continued to perform strongly during the first
half of 2001. We had notable success particularly in the liquid natural gas
(LNG) market: our foresight in establishing an outstanding team of qualified
professionals in partnership with Barry Rogliano Salles has positioned us as
market leader in this sector. The secondhand and newbuildings teams
outperformed the market.

The anticipated downward correction in dry cargo 'spot' freight rates duly
arrived in July following dramatic falls in industrial production in Europe
and Japan. However, the dry cargo division in the first half increased its
market share, producing results in excess of those in the equivalent period
for last year.

Tanker rates have corrected after the highs of the first half of 2001. The
division has minimised the impact of the collapse in freight rates by being
appointed by clients to several new broker panels; this has helped underpin
our earnings by increasing the number of deals concluded.

Regular activity in ammonia shipping did not compensate for weakness in the
liquid petroleum gas (LPG), petrochemical and chemical tanker sectors. With
our assistance, owners have concluded beneficial timecharter and contract
cover, thereby reducing our reliance on 'spot' broking markets.

Derivatives broking income for the first half of 2001 was up by over 50%
against the same period in 2000. The shipping derivatives market continues to
expand driven in part by volatile shipping markets.

Clarkson Research enjoyed an active first half to the year, with improved
sales in both traditional publishing markets and the fast-growing digital
information sector. In April we launched SIN 2001 an upgrade of Shipping
Intelligence Network and its subscriber base has doubled.

In eBusiness, Clarksons Bunkers and OceanConnect.com announced a joint
marketing and services agreement with effect from April.

Clarkson Financial Services, our recently formed banking and capital markets
adviser, has got off to a good start and was immediately profitable.

Our fund manager experienced excessive short term volatility in most shipping
markets which resulted in difficult trading conditions.

Clarkson Asia's expansion in Singapore and Shanghai is now starting to yield
good returns. Our other overseas offices also made a positive contribution.

In August we announced the termination of our business relationship with
Univan Ship Management Limited, as it became obvious we did not share the same
vision. We have gained valuable experience from our association with Univan
and it made a positive contribution to our results over the period of our
investment. We therefore intend to re-establish shipmanagement as part of the
group's full range of services.

                                  FINANCIAL

We estimate that the average tax rate that will apply for the full year in
2001 will be 37.5% (2000: 36.5%) and we have applied this rate for the first
half of the year. In the previous year the tax rate benefited from the
utilisation of brought forward trading losses.

In July the company announced it had acquired a 49% interest in AGA Cofimar, a
French based dry cargo broking business. We have maintained a strong cash
position and remain committed to making significant strategic acquisitions
which will enhance shareholder value.

                                  PROSPECTS

During the first half of 2001 we have negotiated a significant amount of
business which will fall to be invoiced during the second half of the current
year and in future years. This will cushion our results against the impact of
any slowdown in world economic activity.

                                   DIVIDEND

An interim dividend of 6.00 pence per share (2000: 2.50 pence per share) will
be paid on 28 September 2001 to shareholders on the register at 14 September
2001.

                                  DIRECTORS

On 4 September 2001 Alan Brooks who has been a non-executive director for
almost eight years decided to retire. The board wishes to thank Alan for his
valuable service to the company and also as chairman of the Pension Fund
Trustees and wishes him well in the future. At the same meeting we welcomed
Martin Watson to the board in a non-executive capacity. Martin is a founding
partner at London law firm, Watson, Farley & Williams.


Michael Beckett
Chairman

4 September 2001



                     CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT

                                     Half year  Half year               
                                            to         to      
                                       30 June    30 June               Year to
                                          2001       2000      31 December 2000
                                    (unaudited) (unaudited)           (audited) 
                                            £m         £m                    £m

TURNOVER                                  23.3       15.6                  36.4
OPERATING PROFIT                           4.5        1.2                   4.9
Share of results of associated            (0.1)       0.5                   0.3
undertakings
Interest receivable and other              0.4        0.3                   0.5
income
Interest payable and similar               0.0       (0.1)                 (0.1)
charges
PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION                     4.8        1.9                   5.6
Taxation                                  (1.8)      (0.7)                 (2.0)
PROFIT AFTER TAXATION                      3.0        1.2                   3.6
Dividend
Interim proposed 6.00p (2000:             (0.9)      (0.4)                 (0.4)
2.50p)
Final - (2000: 7.50p)                      0.0        0.0                  (1.0)
                                          (0.9)      (0.4)                 (1.4)
RETAINED PROFIT                            2.1        0.8                   2.2
EARNINGS PER SHARE                        21.0p       8.6p                 26.0p



                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET


                                     30 June    30 June       
                                        2001       2000        31 December 2000 
                                  (unaudited) (unaudited)              (audited)
                                          £m         £m                      £m

FIXED ASSETS                             5.5        5.2                     5.0
CURRENT ASSETS
Debtors                                  8.5        7.7                     8.9
Cash and deposits                       15.8        6.3                    10.9
                                        24.3       14.0                    19.8
CREDITORS
Amounts falling due within one         (15.6)      (9.1)                  (13.6)
year
NET CURRENT ASSETS                       8.7        4.9                     6.2
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT               14.2       10.1                    11.2
LIABILITIES
PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES AND           0.0       (0.1)                    0.0
CHARGES
SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS                     14.2       10.0                    11.2



                       CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT


                                     Half year  Half year              
                                            to         to     
                                       30 June    30 June               Year to
                                          2001       2000      31 December 2000
                                    (unaudited) (unaudited)           (audited)
                                            £m         £m                   £m

ET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING                7.1        0.4                   8.1
ACTIVITIES
DIVIDENDS FROM ASSOCIATES                  0.2        0.1                   0.1
RETURNS ON INVESTMENTS                     0.3        0.2                   0.4
TAXATION                                  (0.8)      (0.1)                 (0.1)
CAPITAL EXPENDITURE AND FINANCIAL         (1.2)      (0.7)                 (1.3)
INVESTMENT
EQUITY DIVIDENDS PAID                     (1.1)      (0.4)                 (0.7)
MANAGEMENT OF LIQUID RESOURCES            (3.2)       0.6                  (0.3)
NET CASH FLOW BEFORE FINANCING             1.3        0.1                   6.1
FINANCING                                  0.5        0.0                   0.0
INCREASE IN FUNDS                          1.8        0.1                   6.1



         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES


                                     Half year  Half year               
                                            to         to      
                                       30 June    30 June               Year to
                                          2001       2000      31 December 2000
                                    (unaudited) (unaudited)           (audited)
                                            £m         £m                   £m

PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES AFTER        3.0        1.2                   3.6
TAXATION
Foreign exchange differences               0.4        0.3                   0.1
Total recognised gains relating to         3.4        1.5                   3.7
the year



                       MOVEMENT IN SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS


                                     Half year  Half year              
                                            to         to     
                                       30 June    30 June               Year to
                                          2001       2000      31 December 2000
                                    (unaudited) (unaudited)           (audited) 
                                            £m         £m                    £m

PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES AFTER        3.0        1.2                   3.6
TAXATION
Foreign exchange differences               0.4        0.3                   0.1
Dividends                                (0.9)      (0.4)                 (1.4)
New shares issued                          0.5        0.0                   0.0
Total movements during the year            3.0        1.1                   2.3
Shareholders' funds at start of           11.2        8.9                   8.9
period
Shareholders' funds at end of             14.2       10.0                  11.2
period



                    NOTES TO THE INTERIM FINANCIAL REPORT

1 ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND BASIS OF PREPARATION OF INTERIM REPORT

The principal accounting policies of the group, which are set out in the
Annual Report and Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2000, are unchanged.
Fixed annual charges are apportioned to the interim period on the basis of
time elapsed. Other expenses are accrued in accordance with the same
principles used in the preparation of the annual accounts. The taxation charge
is calculated by applying the directors' best estimate of the annual effective
tax rate to the profit for the period.

2 EARNINGS PER SHARE

The earnings per ordinary share is based on earnings of £2.95 million (2000: £
1.16 million) and 14,065,477 (2000: 13,453,630) shares being the weighted
average number of ordinary shares in issue during the period. This is after
excluding 401,247 weighted average number of shares and £0.05 million income
arising thereon owned by the Executive Share Purchase Trust. During the period
708,970 shares were issued to cover obligations arising under various share
option schemes.

3 ACCOUNTS

The figures for the six months ended 30 June 2001 are unaudited and do not
constitute full accounts within the meaning of Section 240(5) of the Companies
Act 1985. The statutory audited accounts of the group for the year ended 31
December 2000, upon which the auditors have given an unqualified report, have
been delivered to the Registrar of Companies in England & Wales.