The traditional shipyard wants to organize the production of yachts and warships from one another in the future.
(Photo: dpa)
Berlin The Lürssen shipyard group is facing a major renovation. The company is spinning off the marine division into the Naval Vessel Lürssen (NVL) division. The partner Friedrich Lürssen justified the step on Friday with the increasing complexity of the two markets in which the company is active. In addition to warships, the Bremen company builds so-called mega yachts for well-heeled customers.
So far, the company had managed both areas in one unit. So far, the company has always emphasized that both business areas complement each other. If the navy doesn’t work, the civilian sector keeps the company afloat. Lürssen is one of the most successful manufacturers of so-called mega yachts
The German shipyard landscape has been going through a fundamental change for over a decade. Due to fierce competition from the Far East, the companies have abandoned the construction of conventional cargo ships – the largest market segment – and focused on the manufacture of special ships as well as the marine and yachting sectors.
During this turbulent phase, Friedrich Lürssen and his cousin Peter Lürssen acted skillfully and incorporated locations from competitors. This also includes the former Hamburg shipyard Blohm + Voss, which had long been part of the former market leader Thyssen-Krupp Marine Systems (TKMS).
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While other shipbuilders were starving, the Bremen company won numerous orders for the production of corvettes, patrol boats and other naval units. In addition, oligarchs and wealthy people had their mega-yachts built there.
Winner of the crisis
Recently, however, the business changed. The Dutch Damen shipyard was awarded the contract to build large frigates for the German Navy; Lürssen is only a supplier in this billion-dollar business. In addition, civilian customers are increasingly ordering smaller yachts. Billionaires’ demand is shifting from ships with a length of 60 to 120 meters. Previously, the mark was over 150 meters. Smaller, energy-saving yachts are now in demand.
A Bundeswehr frigate is being repaired in Hamburg.
(Photo: dpa)
The conversion brings massive changes for the traditional Blohm + Voss shipyard in the Port of Hamburg. The location will in future belong to NVL – and there is now a threat of job cuts. According to information from industry circles, a quarter of the almost 600 employees will lose their jobs. Lürssen justified the cuts with the fact that the location was not competitive.
Until now, Blohm + Voss has had a strong presence in the civilian field. In addition to merchant ships, cruise ships were also overhauled, which had brought solid income. Blohm + Voss also shapes the cityscape of the Hanseatic city, as legendary ships like the Queen Elizabeth were docked there. The cruise ship segment will no longer be actively pursued, it said.
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