The state is helping to save the financially troubled Meyer Werft. The investment will not only secure jobs, says the Minister of Economic Affairs. He is concerned about more than that.
According to Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck, the rescue of the financially troubled Meyer shipyard in Papenburg in the Emsland region with state funds is of importance for the whole of Germany. “In cruise ship construction, Germany and Europe are still world leaders with their locations.” It is one of the few areas where Germany has not been left behind by Asian competition. “And we have to hold on to this segment so that the coastal locations and thus the shipyards are maintained and preserved,” said the Green politician in front of several hundred Meyer employees at a company meeting at the shipyard.
In his speech, Habeck emphasized that training is also being provided in Papenburg for other shipyard locations and regions. “We will also have to strengthen maritime shipbuilding in other areas.” That is why Meyer Werft is also needed as a center of excellence for training, said the Vice Chancellor. Meyer Werft is also a location for innovations, such as the development of engines powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Habeck: Shipbuilders become converter builders
For a few days now, the federal government and the state of Lower Saxony have been involved in the Meyer Werft, which recently got into financial difficulties. With a rescue package, the federal and state governments together took over around 80 percent of the shares in the Meyer Werft in Papenburg and the Neptun Werft in Rostock for 400 million euros. In addition, the federal and state governments secured 80 percent of a credit line totaling 2.6 billion euros with a guarantee. The remaining 20 percent of the loan amount remained at the risk of the banks. Last week, both the Budget Committee of the Bundestag and the Budget Committee of the Lower Saxony State Parliament gave the green light for state aid.
Habeck continued in his speech: “I believe that we must keep this expertise, shipbuilding, in Germany and in Europe.” This also means opening up new segments and business areas. Meyer Werft is already doing this, for example by building steel structures for the construction of converter platforms for offshore wind energy. “Shipbuilders are becoming converter builders,” said Habeck. However, such converter platforms are already “in short supply.”
The shipyard has locations in Papenburg, Rostock and Turku, Finland. A total of around 7,000 people work for the Meyer Group. However, the state’s entry only includes the locations in Papenburg and Rostock.
Source: Stern
