Hellenic yard’s future looking brighter

Readers may recall that, in June this year, Abu Dhabi MAR, the international shipbuilding group based in Abu Dhabi, and TKMS signed a contract for the sale of Blohm + Voss to Abu Dhabi MAR. The contract included the acquisition of Blohm + Voss Shipyards in Hamburg and the civil shipbuilding facilities of the former HDW Gaarden including employees in Kiel. Abu Dhabi MAR will also acquire an 80% stake in each of Blohm + Voss Repair and Blohm + Voss Industries, both of Hamburg.

“This is an important stage on the path to an overall solution for Hellenic Shipyards in Skaramangas,” said the Greek minister of defence Evangelos Venizelos. “However, further steps still need to be taken before the contract can come into effect,” said Iskandar Safa, chairman of the management board of Abu Dhabi MAR. As a next step the contract is to be ratified by the Greek Parliament and afterwards to be signed by the parties. “It is our aim to provide Hellenic Shipyards with long-term employment prospects”, said Dr. Hans Christoph Atzpodien, chairman of the board of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems AG.