MSC Cruises wants to buy into STX France to protect it from Fincantieri.
Owner Gianluigi Aponte told Le Monde that the aim is to prevent the Italian shipbuilding group transferring know-how overseas and prioritising its Italian yards.
MSC does not want a majority stake, Aponte said. He is worried about the potential for French technology to head to China, due to Fincantieri's cooperation with state shipbuilder CSSC.
Royal Caribbean has also reportedly been sounded out about taking a stake in STX France.
New French president Emmanuel Macron said last week that he wants to review the deal that saw Fincantieri agree to acquire a 66.66% holding for EUR 79.5m ($88.6m).
He was concerned about jobs and the yard's ability to attract new orders, reports said.
"I want to see the initial balance agreed in April to be revised," Macron said.
But he added he was generally in favour of the deal.
The French state is expected to keep 33% of STX France.
