Strong markets and the arrival of its own newbuildings opened the door for Avance Gas to bid for rival Aurora LPG, its president says.

Christian Andersen has been an outspoken advocate of mergers and acquisitions in the market and Avance made its play for Aurora as the first snow of the winter fell in Oslo.

Andersen told TradeWinds today: “I think this is a first and interesting move towards further consolidation in the space.