SOS (Save our Shipbuilding): Germany’s VSM Calls for Reduction of Dependence on China
As the geopolitical landscape continues to quickly transform with the Russia/Ukraine war, Europe's over-dependence on Russian energy has become painfully apparent. VSM – the German Shipbuilding and Ocean Industries Association that represents the political and commercial interests of the German maritime over a diversity of maritime market segments – issued the following statement and overview of the global shipbuilding market, highlighting how highly subsidized shipbuilding markets…
AIDA Cruises to Open Cruise Season on March 20. Earlier Trips Cancelled
AIDA Cruises said Tuesday it would open its 2021 cruise season starting March 20 with AIDAperla ship sailing around the Canary Islands, "a favorite "fly and cruise" vacation for German travelers looking to enjoy the region's "eternal spring" weather and unique destinations." However, trips planned for earlier in March will not be taking place.The German federal government has extended the lockdown to contain the pandemic until March 2021. Many of AIDA's cruise destinations have also implemented measures that significantly restrict international holiday travel through early spring…
Germany Mulls Onshore Power in Seaports
German federal government took a step to make onshore power in seaports more attractive; this week the environment ministers of the federal and state governments will be meeting in Hamburg to discuss onshore power initiatives in Germany.Against this backdrop, the German Shipowners’ Association (Verband Deutscher Reeder, VDR) welcomes plans to provide ships with onshore power while on berth in German ports.“We are united in our goal to further improve the climate and the air quality in the ports,” said Ralf Nagel, Chief Executive Officer of the Association: “Promoting the use of onshore power is a solid step in the right direction.”The…
Rotterdam, Berlin Mull Better Rhine Corridor
Germany wants to improve hinterland transport from the port of Rotterdam. German Transport Minister Volker Wissing visited the Port of Rotterdam as part of a three-day delegation trip to the Netherlands.Wissing and Emile Hoogsteden, Vice President of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, emphasized the importance of the Rhine Corridor and its ports for the transport of goods to Rhineland-Palatinate and Europe as a whole.The freight corridor from Rotterdam to Genoa is one of the most crucial European logistics axes and is also enormously important for the transport of goods to and from Rhineland-Palatinate.The Port of Rotterdam, the State of Rhineland-Palatinate and its port operations have been working closely together to improve hinterland transport from the Port of Rotterdam…
German LNG Terminal Signs New Pact
German LNG Terminal GmbH, the joint venture driving forward Germany’s first LNG terminal in Brunsbuettel, has reached another long-term commercial capacity agreement with an unnamed global LNG player.The gas infrastructure company consisting of N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie (Gasunie), Oiltanking GmbH and Vopak LNG Holding B.V said in a press release that the parties agreed on the commitment of a substantial part of the terminal capacity.Negotiations with other interested parties are ongoing. As a result of strong market demand, German LNG Terminal will apply for permits with a total terminal capacity of 8 bcma.Rolf Brouwer, Managing Director of German LNG Terminal GmbH…
MV Werften Rolls-out New Production Facility
Hong Kong–German shipbuilding company MV Werften put into operation the laser-hybrid welding line in its new hall 11 for producing panels measuring up to 25 x 16 meters for the Global Class cruise ships.Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania’s Economics Minister Harry Glawe, representatives of Genting Hong Kong, MV Werften , the automation provider Pemamek as well as other project partners were present in the new Hall 11 when the plant produced its first weld seam.“The new plant enables us to make a significant increase in the capacity of our steel prefabrication for the Global cruise ships in Rostock and take a further, important step towards Industry 4.0.
Goldsboro LNG Project Eligible for $1.5bln German Loan
Pieridae Energy announced that its proposed financing of upstream activities within the Goldboro LNG project has received a written confirmation of eligibility in principle for up to US $1.5 billion of untied loan guarantee by the German federal government under its UFK program (Bundesgarantien für ungebundene Finanzkredite).According to the press release, this confirmation not only satisfies a critical condition leading to the completion of Pieridae’s acquisition of Ikkuma as contemplated by the arrangement agreement entered into between the Company and Ikkuma on August 23, 2018, but also marks an important milestone in advancing the…
New Pilot Tenders ‘Dithmarschen’ and ‘Steinburg’ Named
The new pilot transfer tenders ‘Dithmarschen’ and ‘Steinburg’ were named in Brunsbüttel at the 3rd of July. Of a new type and identical design, these will be deployed by the Elbe and NOK I pilots’ associations in the heavily frequented entrance to the Kiel Canal. Around the clock and in all weather and all seas, these steel-hull craft with an aluminium superstructure ensure a rapid and safe transfer service. The shape of these ships has been adapted to the special conditions in their area of operations, e.g. short, high waves, as well as the special demands of the pilot transfer service in these pilotage waters. Among these are the short approach run to the vessel, safe running along the ship’s side, rapid casting off and turning away from ships served.
German Shipbuilding: A Strong Vessel in a Heavy Sea
While orders for new vessels have continued to decline worldwide in 2017, the situation in the German and European shipbuilding market is different, with an increase of incoming orders. As shipping experts state: “…this is not a trend but a snapshot, but it indicates a high competitiveness of the German shipbuilding industry, particularly on technologically advanced projects.”The global mood barometer of the maritime industry had reached its lowest point in 2016. From the abyss confidence and order have carefully increased…
SMM Hamburg Ready for a New Beginning
At the SMM Ship Finance Forum just ahead of SMM, the leading international maritime trade fair hamburg, experts will discuss the potential and prospects for new ship financing models. In spite of low newbuilding prices, the total number of ship orders is declining around the world. Financing difficulties are part of the problem, and new concepts are in demand to revitalise the market. "In ship finance we have to address two separate issues: On the one hand, we need to put the fleet in service on a more solid financial basis. After a five-year double crisis – one affecting the financial, the other the shipping markets – that may be a tall order. On the other hand we need to finance new tonnage to be commissioned over the next few years.
German Shipyard Files for Insolvency; Buyer Sought
In recent the management of P+S WERFTEN have been involved in discussions with the representatives of the German Federal State of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and the German Federal Government, and with its customers, suppliers, employees, the trade union IG Metall Küste and with banks to find a way towards an economic future for P+S WERFTEN. Rüdiger Fuchs, CEO of P+S WERFTEN since 7 August 2012, said, “In recent days we have explored all options in our attempts to reach a solution. We have provided open and honest information about our problems and tried to prevent insolvency. For this reason, the management of P+S WERFTEN GmbH has filed for insolvency before the insolvency court of the local court of Stralsund.
