A&O Shearman Advises Odyssey Marine in USD1bn All‑Stock Merger with American Ocean Minerals to Create U.S.‑Controlled Deep‑Sea Critical Minerals Platform

"A&O Shearman has advised Odyssey Marine Exploration on an all‑stock merger with American Ocean Minerals Corporation to create a U.S.‑controlled deep‑sea critical minerals platform with a pro forma equity value of roughly USD 1 billion. The deal combines AOMC’s deep‑ocean exploration rights with Odyssey’s operational and technology expertise to focus on exploration, harvesting and processing of polymetallic nodules, and would give the combined company a diversified portfolio including stakes in two of three licensed Cook Islands exploration areas. The transaction is expected to close in late Q2 or Q3 2026. The A&O Shearman team was led by M&A partners Rory O’Halloran and Christopher Glenn and Silicon Valley partner Cody Wright, with multidisciplinary support on capital markets, projects, antitrust, tax, employment and IP."