An antitrust investigation into Fincantieri’s proposed takeover of Chantiers de l’Atlantique has exposed the rifts in the European shipbuilding sector.

The European Commission set the cat among the pigeons last month by opening a fully-fledged in-depth investigation into the Italian yard’s proposed acquisition of its French rival.

The probe, led by European Commissioner for Competition Margrethe Vestager, has highlighted differing views of rival shipbuilders — principally in Germany — about whether the forging of a cruise shipbuilding giant will protect or harm the European shipbuilding industry.