Shipbuilder Harland & Wolff on verge of £70m rescue deal

(Sharecast News) - Struggling shipbuilder Harland & Wolff could be on the verge of a rescue deal by Spanish peer Navantia that will secure more than 1,000 jobs across its four sites in the UK. The manufacturer, which has sites in Belfast, Arnish, Appledore and Methil, entered administration in September for the second time in five years, with its parent company delisting from the stock exchange.

However, according to Sky News on Tuesday, Navantia is close to securing a deal to take over the company for £70m, helped by negotiations around a government contract.

Navantia reportedly received improved terms on a contract to manufacture three Fleet Solid Support vessels for the Royal Navy, in return for guaranteeing job safety for a specified period.

Harland & Wolff already works alongside Navantia on the FSS contract, and the Spanish firm has been providing emergency funds for the company since it went into adminstration.

Sky News said a deal is expected to be announced within the next couple of days, and formally announced before Christmas.