2 shipbuilders named finalists to export naval ships to Britain

Two Korean shipbuilders have been listed among three finalists for the British Navy's project to purchase logistics support vessels, the state procurement agency here said Thursday.

Hyundai Heavy Industries and Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering have been joined by Fincantieri of Italy as the final candidates to export the naval ships to Britain, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).

"The preferred bidder is scheduled to be selected around December or January next year," a DAPA official said. "Since two of the three finalists are Korean companies, I think it's highly possible that one of them will be chosen. It would also have a big symbolic significance that we would export naval ships to a traditional naval power."

A logistics support ship carries ammunitions, food and other materials necessary to help sustain naval battleships. Britain plans to acquire four 15,000-ton class logistics support vessels for $800 million.(Yonhap)