German yard inks crucial order

German shipbuilding group Hegemann has received a ?100m ($143m) order for an offshore vessel from a Bremen-based owner, for delivery in 2011 subject to financing.

It is not yet clear which shipyard of the group will build the vessel. Hegemann operates three shipyards: Peene Werft in Wolgast, Volkswerft Stralsund in Rostock-Warnemünde and Rolandwerft in Berne.

Peene Werft, in particular, needs new orders even though it has work until 2012. It has a tug, a naval supply vessel, and four vessels for the Swedish coast guard and is involved in the construction of four frigates, but this is not enough to keep the workforce busy. According to Peene Werft’s workers’ council, there will be under-employment in some divisions of the yard from September onwards.