The German Shipbuilders Association urges for a restructure of the framework conditions for European shipbuilding, considering that Asian yards take custom away from Europe.
As the association says, achievements in the cruise ship and megayacht segments underpinn the growth of the German shipbuilding industry. However, while catering to these two demanding shiptypes complemented by building sophisticated government and naval vessels, their ability to serve other market segments continued to deplete.
All this affects not only the shipyards but the entire value chain: In Germany alone, roughly 2,800 companies and about 200,000 employees work in shipbuilding and ocean industries
What is more, with the COVID-19 pandemic, German medium-sized ”do not stand a chance against the massive distortions in the market, which significantly increase during the past decade of weak global demand in practically all cargo ships segments.”
As a German private-owned business you cannot stand up to the strategic measures taken e.g., by the Chinese government. Therefore, we need an active policy response in Germany and the European Union. In the existing economic environment, we risk losing essential shipbuilding capabilities irreversibly
stated Harald Fassmer, VSM President, and CEO of Fr. Fassmer GmbH & Co. KG.
What is more, Bernard Meyer, CEO of Meyer Werft GmbH & Co. KG adds that for decades, the European shipbuilding industry has been losing market share, mainly because Asian governments have been engaging in predatory practices without Europe taking any countermeasures.
Considering the abov, the association has been advocating a fundamental analysis of the developments in the shipbuilding market. As a matter of fact, competing nations outside the EU have not only recognised the high strategic value and great growth potential of the maritime industry but also implemented generous support programmes, while this is lacking in the EU.
The European Union is the single largest maritime market in the world. The geography of our continent creates a multitude of diverse economic activities on and below the water. This is why it is up to us Europeans to utilise our entire spectrum of maritime capabilities for growth and sustainability in an optimal way. To do so, we need a fundamental overhaul of the framework conditions for the European shipbuilding industry to finally create a level playing field
concluded VSM General Manager Dr. Reinhard Lüken.
