Verband für Schiffbau und Meerestechnik (VSM), the association representing German companies in the shipbuilding and marine technologies, demonstrated Satisfaction with the commitment expressed, so far in words, by the Government and that of the Land of Lower Saxony, intervene directly to support the plan with public money restructuring of the Meyer Werft shipbuilding group ( of 22 and 22 August 2024). "Considering the considerable level of expertise the very positive market outlook and the full order book - highlighted today the association in a NOTE - The public sector assumes risks that are acceptable to all point of view. Most likely the commitment will prove to be advantageous for the Federal Republic of Germany, for the Land of Lower Saxony and for taxpayers".

However, VSM hoped that public intervention would have "We share the opinion of the expressed by many - explained the association - according to which the majority public ownership should not be a permanent solution. We are optimistic about the possibility of find a private sector ownership structure in the future, and we consider the condition of a temporary participation of the State'.

VSM emphasized the centrality of Meyer Werft in the sector of German shipbuilding: "Meyer Werft - recalled the association - is by far the most important in civil shipbuilding in Germany and a central component of the entire maritime industry. The fact that the cruise ships are currently the most important for the construction site should not overshadow the fact that the company's facilities and technical capabilities are of fundamental importance for many other activities, such as the construction of conversion platforms or know-how in the maritime research and development'.

According to VSM, moreover, the causes that have accentuated the difficulties of the company are now behind us: «the supply chain disruptions that have severely affected operations of some of the past projects - explained the association - have been resolved and the current timing of ship construction is back to what was planned. The under-utilisation resulting from the four-year closure of demand for ships cruise will end in 2026. Also the last of the ships purchased at a fixed price before the pandemic will be delivered next year. Subsequent orders already awarded include significantly better".

The association also defended the work of the Meyer family in which owns the shipbuilding company: «in the over the last 50 years - VSM observed - the Meyer group has been grown considerably, in contrast to the long trend of German shipbuilding. This growth was based, among other things, on the the other, on the fact that the company's profits flowed entirely in the expansion and technological development of the construction site. Not there is no other shipyard in Europe that can demonstrate comparable investments. We believe that many of the criticisms levelled at in recent weeks by the media against the management of the construction site are wrong and incomprehensible. As in any company, There is potential for improvement that can and must be taken advantage of. Basically, though, past successes show that Meyer Werft made many of the correct decisions." "From the point of view of the VSM and in the interest of the entire German shipbuilding industry - concluded the association - is It is desirable that the influence of the family of entrepreneurs on the fortunes of the company».