NEW YORK -- The Finnish group bidding to purchase Helsinki-based
Masa-Yards from its Anglo-Norwegian parent, Kvaerner, halted
negotiations on the sale, according to press reports in Finland.
A spokesman for the group, led by Masa-Yards chief Martin
Saarikangas, said the group's decision to exit negotiations was
prompted by Carnival Corp.'s decision not to take part in the bid.
Saarikangas declined to comment.
Last month, Carnival vice chairman Howard Frank said an
investment in one of Carnival's leading cruise-ship suppliers was
"a conflict of interest and probably not a good idea."
Earlier this year, officials at Carnival Corp. and Royal
Caribbean Cruises Ltd. said they would consider taking a stake in
the yard, which is one of 13 Kvaerner is shedding under a sell-off
announced last year.
Masa-Yards is among the world's top three cruise-ship
builders.