Werner Lundt, General Managing Director of the German Shipbuilding & Ocean Industries Association VSM, sees German shipyards in an excellent position, as future super yachts projects become even more complex
What are the advantages of German shipyards in the international market?
Werner Lundt: Today, German yards have an[ds_preview] excellent international reputation. The shipyards do not only benefit from their long-standing experience but also from top-notch technical know-how and engineering. Especially building super yachts is a very demanding large-scale task and the yards involved in this business have been mastering this successfully for decades.
How important is the super yacht segment for German shipyards in terms of the order book?
Lundt: The super yacht industry with its highly sophisticated projects makes up a relatively large part of Germany’s shipbuilding industry. Mega yacht contracts account for almost one quarter of the orderbook value of German yards as per end of 2010. And no less than 68 % of the 25 largest super yachts in service last year were built in Germany. Mainly in the 60 to 180 m range German shipbuilders are in the worldwide leading position.
Which are the trends in the size of yachts, in interior and design?
Lundt: The size of yachts is growing and bedoming more complex, for example including hangars helicopter bases and tender motor boats. Regarding interiors and design the current projects are even more extravagant, which German yards can handle in perfect ways.
How do you assess the future prospects?
Lundt: Our shipbuilders and suppliers focus on market niches such as innovative and specialised construction. Although the last two years were extremely challenging for the whole shipbuilding industry, affecting all involved in the field of yachting, most of the yards succeeded in increasing their efficiency, in strengthening their technologic leadership, and in approaching new markets with innovative products. With this strategy it was possible to get new contracts, even in those difficult times.
Where do the main orders come from?
Lundt: The contractors of super yachts from all over the world do not want to become known in public, so please understand that we cannot give any information about that.
Eigel Wiese
