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STX prepared to offload part of Aker

STX prepared to offload part of Aker

Helsinki: Korean shipbuilding company STX, formerly Aker Yards, has said it would be interested in selling some of its shipbuilding holdings to the state of Finland, writes Esmerk Finnish News. According to the chairman of the board of STX Europe, Su-Jou Kim, if the state was interested in a similar arrangement that has been carried out in France where the state becomes a strategic owner of the shipyards in Finland, this would be agreeable to STX. There have been no discussions on the issue, however. The state of France is acquiring a 33% holding in the Saint-Nazaire and Lorient shipyards. According to Su-Jou Kim, joint ownership provides more opportunities for developing shipbuilding.
According to Finland's Minister of Economic Affairs, Mauri Pekkarinen, it would not be sensible for the state of Finland to invest in shipbuilding. Pekkarinen is confident that STX is committed to continuing shipbuilding in Finland even if the state has no holding in the shipyards.  [11/11/08]