Poland meets EU deadline

The Polish government has met an EU deadline for plans on restructuring three shipyards, the treasury minister said on Friday. The shipyards at Gdansk, Gdynia and Szczecin received state subsidies after Poland joined the European Union in 2004. They could be ordered to repay the aid, which would force them into bankruptcy, if EU officials reject the plans.

Poland had asked for an extension of Friday’s deadline, which was rejected. “We have investors and restructuring plans and I’m confident the Commission will accept them,” Treasury Minister Aleksander Grad said.

According to Polish sources, Ulstein is interested in Szczecin Shipyard. However, the company has not submitted an official offer, according to the Polish minister of privatisation. Polish Mostostal Chojnice is also interested in the shipyard and has submitted an official offer. ISD Polska (Donbas) is interested in Gdynia.