The combination of the specialization and cooperation of the German shipbuilding industry is an important factor for the success of it. Also important are the highly skilled people and the experience of building today’s high-tech products.
The maritime industry is the key to reap the vast benefits from utilizing the opportunities at sea. Complex technology is[ds_preview] always required – be it the use of oceans and seas as simple traffic routes or economic areas e.g. for energy production or tourism. New technologies and applications at sea have the potential to constantly create new markets and constitute a reliable driver of growth.
The German shipbuilding & oceans technology industry offers excellent conditions in these fields as it has highly specialized experts along the entire supply chain at its disposal like no other country.
In Germany’s maritime industry, with many small and medium-sized enterprises, success is based on the combination of specialization and cooperation which results in great technical expertise, high-quality standards, continuous innovation efforts, and high-quality products. Excellent project management skills, which ensure timely and technically perfect final delivery, are part of the core competencies as much as the continuous adaptation of the product portfolio to changing customer requirements.
Different ship types
In recent years, eco-friendly cruise vessels, the hitherto largest offshore seismic vessel for the exploration of oil and gas, the longest private mega yacht and the most modern research vessel in the world, submarines powered by fuel cells and elaborate cable ships and offshore converter platforms were successfully delivered. These are just a few examples of today’s high-tech product portfolio by the German shipbuilding & marine technology industry, which has successfully established in healthy niches in the global market.
A careful treatment of the marine environment – in ecologically ever more sensitive areas such as the Arctic and the Northern Sea Route – is given high priority because such a record of success can only be achieved and secured in the long term with innovative, efficient and environmentally friendly technology.
One of the world’s most advanced and most highly specialized rescue vessels – this year’s »Ship of the Year«, »Murman« – is another excellent example. This ship has already been awarded the Russian State Prize for achievements in the field of transport and transport infrastructure in the category »best innovative solution«. It qualifies for the ice class icebreaker 6 like its sister »Beringov Proliv«. »Murman« will be employed for rescue missions and patrols on the Northeast Passage around Murmansk. The vessel’s high-tech equipment enables the crew to perform search and rescue missions as well emergency towage even under extreme weather conditions. An on-board hospital allows the medical treatment of rescued people. Moreover, both ships are equipped with technology for seabed research and investigation of damaged objects at depths of up to 1,000m.
»Murman« combines German quality and leading-edge technologies and shows that the German companies offer high-class innovative products at competitive prices and coordinate international projects successfully.
Export Initiative GeMaX founded
Whereas German engineering has a strong international reputation, its marketing and sales approach is sometimes less-nown. With the German Maritime Export Initiative, GeMaX, maritime producers from Germany have teamed up to jointly present themselves to new customers around the world. The initiative is hosted by VSM. As a unique approach, GeMaX combines manufactures and financial institutions in order to offer equipment based finance. GeMaX supports costumers in their sourcing activities in Germany. By cooperating with the well-known shipping department of KfW IPEX-Bank, Global customers can access equipment-based finance, which is leveraged corresponding to the procurement volume from German manufacturers. That way, GeMaX brings together excellent technology and new sources of finance.
Reinhard Lüken
