Shipbuilders pin merger hopes on orders for military vessels

BAE Systems and VT Group plan to relaunch their British shipyards as big exporters of warships if a planned restructuring of their interests can be agreed.
BAE and VT, formerly Vosper Thornycroft, are in talks to merge their shipbuilding assets, which include the Govan and Scotstoun yards on the Clyde and VT’s Portsmouth dock. The Times has learnt that the operational plans are well advanced and the aim is to create an entity capable of representing the UK in international markets.