The Wewelsfleth-based Peters Werft considers itself well prepared for the future with its specialisation course. Investments in infrastructure and equipment have always been and will continue to be the focus of attention. By Michael Meyer
Like many other German shipyards, Peters Werft has tried to establish itself in niches in recent years, primarily in the[ds_preview] repair market – with some success. The company attaches great importance to the tailor-made processing of orders, »tailor made in Germany«.
Currently, the shipyard repairs and restores a wide variety of ship types. The docks and the equipment quay are packed with vessels: the historic freighter »Peking«, the »Eschwege« of the Federal Police, the submarine tender »Main« of the German Navy, the fishing protection boat »Seefalke« and the mega yacht »Forever One«. Some projects involve cooperation with steel construction companies or other shipyards, but Peters also relies heavily on its own resources: »We have approx. 120 employees, of whom approx. 10% are trainees and interns. We believe that our team is well equipped for the future with the coaching of young talent, qualified training and numerous advanced training measures,« Managing Partner Mark Dethlefs tells HANSA.
It is important for those responsible that they have competitive equipment for which they can take the corresponding amount of money in their hands. In the recent past, »numerous investments« have been made, according to the manager. For both dry docks (135m and 115m length as well as 12,000 and 10,000tdw), flexible weather shelters as well as modern facilities and equipment have been erected according to the shipyard. In addition, the quay wall was modernised and the sheet pile wall renewed, a new welding machine was purchased as well as a new crane system with higher capacity.
However, this should not be the end of the story. »Further investments in the assembly halls, in machinery and equipment and in the administration building are planned for the near future,« Dethlefs confirms.
Peters Werft has over 145 years of experience in shipbuilding. It is located in south-western Schleswig-Holstein, at the intersection of the international shipping routes Elbe and Nord-Ostsee-Kanal (NOK). Since its foundation more than 690 newbuildings have been delivered, including container ships up to 900TEU, multi-purpose, special and passenger ships or mega yachts. Ships up to 22m width can be repaired. Five berths and two slipways are available in addition to the docks.
In the eyes of the management, changing market requirements and increasing competition in shipping increasingly require the conversion of ships. From consulting to completion, the aim is to support potential customers and benefit from their projects.
A special and at the same time prestigious project is currently the renovation of the historic four-masted barque »Peking«, which was rediscovered in the USA and brought to Germany on board a heavylift ship. The work is scheduled to take two to three years, after which she will take up her new berth in Hamburg. The historic freighter will be restored for the Hamburg Maritim Foundation. The basis of the contract – in which some top-class competitors could be left behind – is the restoration and partial reconstruction of the ailing hull. »Since this is a 100-year-old ship that has been neglected for many years, we must pay special attention to the professional handling of the ailing structure,« Dethlefs continues. The federal government is providing a total of 26mill. € for the return of the vessel and repair of the structure.
The experts at the estuary of the Stör are to restore the rust-eaten freighter to its original condition of 1927 – including the wooden deck and the original holds in which saltpetre and bulk cargo were sailed. The ravages of time have gnawed at the hull in particular. The steel plates were partly only 4mm thick instead of the original 15mm, it was said after the contract was awarded. Therefore, the entire underwater hull has to be rebuilt, as well as the rig.
Michael Meyer
