JFE mulling takeover of Hitachi Zosen shipbuilding

JFE Holdings Inc. is considering taking over Hitachi Zosen Corp.’s shipbuilding operations, which are now conducted by Universal Shipbuilding Corp., a joint venture between the two firms, sources said Saturday.

The deal would mark Osaka-based Hitachi Zosen’s effective departure from shipbuilding. It will instead concentrate on its mainline environment equipment and plants business to try to bolster profitability, the sources said.