German submarine designer and builder thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS) is expanding its capacity with the take over of the shipyard location of MV Werften in Wismar.
The yard has so far been tasked with the construction of tankers and cruise ships but will now re-focus to the defense sector.
tkMS, which currently has contracts for the construction of six Type 212CD submarines for Norway and Germany, said it could produce submarines in Wismar during the course of 2024.
MV Werften employees were informed about the take over on June 10 by the insolvency administrator, Dr. Christoph Morgen, in the presence of the German minister of economics Reinhard Meyer, tkMS CEO Oliver Burkhard and IG Metall district manager Daniel Friedrich.
The main impetus for this is an order for more submarines from the German government and the resulting investments in the upgrading of the shipyard.
“The extent of such a commitment by thyssenkrupp Marine Systems depends on the scope of the contract award: more orders means more jobs,” the company said.
tkMS and MV Werften agreed not to disclose the purchase price.
The buyer has committed to invest in the infrastructure, while further qualification of the staff is also necessary. If the order situation allows, they will be recruited primarily from a transfer company set up for the former employees of MV Werften, tkMS explained.
If production ramps up in the course of 2024, some 800 new employees could be hired by thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, the company said. Moreover, if additional orders are received in the surface sector, this number could even increase to over 1,500 employees at the Wismar site.
“We come to Wismar to give not only Marine Systems, but also the location and the people here, a real perspective. Shipbuilding is where we come from and shipbuilding is where we want to go. And we will do this together with the workforce – and with as many as we can! We are convinced that together we can be successful and that this partnership is good for everyone,” Oliver Burkhard said.
