The clan of Greek shipowner George Procopiou is following the footsteps of compatriot Stavros Niarchos by buying the shipyard founded by the late magnate in the 1950s.

Two sources close to the sale said that Procopiou submitted the winning bid submitted on Wednesday in a state tender for Hellenic Shipyards (ENAE), a facility that features one of the Mediterranean's largest graving docks but has fallen into financial trouble.