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Could Wartsila buy Rolls-Royce's marine business?

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With Rolls-Royce’s marine business potentially on the block the question came up this week as to whether Finnish Wartsila rival could be the buyer.

Rolls-Royce announced last month that it was reviewing the future of its commercial marine division including its possible sale.

Back 2014 Rolls-Royce tried to buy Wartsila’s marine engine business but talks failed to come fruition. In a turning of the tables the Finnish company is now seen as the possible acquirer of Rolls-Royce’s commercial marine business.

An interest in acquiring Rolls-Royce’s marine business was something that Jaako Eskola, president and ceo of Wartsila, did not deny when asked about it at its full year results briefing earlier this week, if he did not exactly confirm interest either.

“If we see any interesting player in the market, who would fit well to our strategy... we would definitely look at it,” he said.

“We need to look at what is available there and what is going to be their final plan.”

Other possible buyers of Rolls-Royce’s commercial marine businesses could be Aker and Hyundai Heavy Industries according to a report from Bloomberg.