A merger between Keppel Corp’s offshore arm and one of its South Korean rivals could be an option for the Singapore company, a local analyst has suggested.

The rig builder announced earlier this week that it would carry out a strategic review of its yard operations in the face of the industry downturn.

Keppel, which stressed that the strategic review was imminent and is expected to be concluded in a few months’ time, will explore both “organic and inorganic options”.