Rheinmetall's response after missing the auction for the Mangalia Shipyard

Rheinmetall, a German company, did not participate in the first auction for the takeover of the Mangalia Shipyard, despite the previous announcement regarding the intention to modernize the shipyard as part of a 920 million euro project, funded through the SAFE program. Romanian authorities, including the Minister of Defense, Radu Miruță, confirmed that Rheinmetall was to take over the shipyard, but no investor showed up at the first auction on June 29.

When asked by News.ro why Rheinmetall did not participate in the auction, company representatives refrained from providing an answer.

"We ask for your understanding that, in principle, we do not comment on ongoing commercial matters," said Jan-P. Weisswange from Rheinmetall AG's media relations team to News.ro.

The Minister of Defense suggested that potential investors are waiting for a decrease in the sale price, set at 184 million euros. On the other hand, the Minister of Economy, Irineu Darău, emphasized that the government's objective is to protect the naval specialists in Mangalia.

The next auction is scheduled for July 29, with the same participation conditions.