Decision on Chantiers-Fincantieri deal postponed again

PHOTO: ANNE KALOSH CRUISE Chantiers de l'Atlantique.jpg
Chantiers de l'Atlantique remains majority owned by the French state
The proposed acquisition of Chantiers de l'Atlantique by Fincantieri has been set back again, this time until Dec. 31.

The decision was jointly taken by the parties involved.

Oct. 31 was the deadline for confirming the agreement announced in September 2017 and already postponed three times.

Under the terms, Fincantieri would acquire 50% of Chantiers and be loaned an extra 1% for 12 years.

In-depth EU probe launched a year ago

This latest delay would allow the EU Directorate General for Competition to reach a decision concerning its in-depth investigation launched in October 2019. Last June, EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager had said that gauging the market impact of Fincantieri's takeover was likely to take some tîme.

According to French media, the EU is still waiting for the Italian shipbuilding giant to provide requested data.

For now, Chantiers' majority owner is the French state, with Naval Group holding a minority stake.