Subcontractors of French shipbuilder STX France have offered to buy a minority stake in the yard.

This is according to Bruno Retailleau, president of the Regional Council of the French region Pays de la Loire, whose statement was cited by SeeNews.

The yard is being bought by Italian rival Fincantieri, but it will not have a majority slice.

The plan would give the French state and domestic players the possibility of acquiring control of the business, Retailleau said.