The defence and yacht specialist, controlled by Franco-Lebanese businessman Iskandar Safa, is interested in buying Korean group STX’s stake in the shipbuilder, according to sources cited by La Tribune daily.

Safa, head of the Privinvest Shipbuilding Group, is not the only reported potential buyer.

The report mentioned an unnamed South Korean shipyard as having made enquiries. Fincantieri of Italy has also been linked to a takeover.

STX