SINGAPORE�Takeover talks between Keppel Corp. division Keppel Fels and the Dutch offshore repair and conversion shipyard company Verolme Botlek BV, have failed after nearly 3 months of discussions.
Keppel confirmed in November that Keppel Fels, one of the largest builders of rigs in the world, was in talks with Wilton Fejinoord Holdings on the possible takeover of the Rotterdam yard.
The acquisition would have given Keppel a foothold in the European ship repair and offshore market.
The announcement came a week after Keppel Fels' sister firm, Keppel Hitachi Zosen, shelved plans to develop a yard on the Indonesian island of Batam.
Keppel has two yards in Singapore, Amfels in Texas, and the Caspian Shipyard Co. joint venture in Azerbaijan. It recently signed a joint venture with Brazilian PEM Setal Group to sublease a Brazilian yard.
