Niche markets still keep Germans afloat

According to unofficial statistics compiled by Hamburg’s respected THB, 24 newbuildings were delivered by twelve yards. That does not however take into account ten 135m long inland cruise ships from Meyer subsidiary Neptun or a modern 86m Type C river tanker from Hitzler.

Five newbuilds were luxury yachts, one, the 180m Azzam, the world’s biggest and eight were specialist ships. Most of the yards were smaller facilities with only three historically big yards mentioned this year – Meyer, Blohm + Voss and Nordseewerke/TNSW.

Meyer topped the delivery table with an LNG tanker and two cruise ships. FSG delivered a freight ferry, a heavy cargo carrier and a RoLo ship while Fassmer delivered four specialist vessels. Luerssen, now with eight shipyards, completed two yachts including Azzam and Abeking & Rasmussen, Kroeger and Nobiskrug also delivered luxury yachts. Ferus Smit handed over a multi-purpose ship and Peene-Werft two coastal patrol boats. Three naval corvettes and one supply tender were the result of joint production involving four yards.

Of the 115 newbuilds completed for German owners in 2013, only eight were German-built. Most of the others were from China.