Administrators at troubled Belfast yard Harland and Wolff have extended an unpaid temporary lay-off of workers while they wait for bidders to submit offers for the business.
The administrators BDO NI said in a statement there have been “positive discussions” with interested parties for the sale of the business as a going concern.
“It is hoped that these discussions may result in credible offers,” The administrators said.
A trade union spokesperson told reNEWS indicative bids for the yard were expected to be lodged by noon Friday and said several companies are interested in acquiring the company.
The unpaid lay-offs began on 6 August when BDO NI’s Michael Jennings and Brian Murphy were appointed to oversee the sale of the yard.
The future of the historic shipyard’s 123 staff remains unclear.
BDO said a”limited retained team of workers” is still employed to maintain the site and assist the administrators.