The merger of French and Italian shipbuilding companies, scheduled for January this year, will not take place. Yesterday, January 27, the governments of France and Italy released a joint statement on the cancellation of the takeover deal by the Italian shipbuilding holding Fincantieri of the French shipyards Chantiers de l'Atlantique (former STX France), located in the city of Saint-Nazaire. The statement says that the fate of the deal was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which worsened the situation in the shipbuilding industry.
"France and Italy believe that the current economic conditions do not allow for a rapprochement between Chantiers de l'Atlantique and Fincantieri," the statement said. The decision was made on the basis of telephone conversations between the economy ministers of the two countries, Bruno Le Maire and Stefano Patuanelli.
Chantiers de l'Atlantique Shipyard in Saint-Nazaire
Image source: stxeurope.com
In 2016, the STX France shipyards were put up for sale after the announcement of the bankruptcy of the STX Corporation. In February 2018, Fincantieri Holding announced its intention to buy back 50% of the shares of STX France from the French state. Last December, the French government gave Fincantieri a one-month deadline to finance the deal. This deadline was due to expire on January 31.
The Fincantieri Group of companies includes 21 shipyards, 3 design centers and its own CETENA research and development center. The group currently employs more than 19,000 people. Fincantieri specializes in the construction of yachts, cruise and transport ships, as well as warships — in particular, frigates of the FREMM type.
