STX Finland has already built two Oasis-class vessels for the US shipowner and is in the running for a third but other European yards are fighting for a piece of the action as well, according to local media reports.
Previously, the yard asked the government for a loan of approximately EUR 50m to ensure it could afford the materials and manpower to get the project up and running but officials came back with the EU-approved aid scheme instead, Reuters reports.
The billion-EUR newbuilding order would help the region combat chronic employment and a lukewarm economy by supporting up to 20,000 jobs each year, which is why Finland is keen on backing the aid package.
