The specialisation of the German shipbuilding industry in healthy high-tech niche markets is paying off. While today’s global shipbuilding[ds_preview] output is roughly 40% below the 2010 peak, the order book for new ships continues to melt. The Asian-dominated volume markets are recovering only slowly and their new orders remained below production volume for the sixth consecutive year.
The good news is, the German shipbuilding industry has largely been able to decouple itself from this development: in seven of the last eight years, more orders were acquired than ships delivered. Healthy orderbooks allow sound forward planning for innovative products and further optimised production processes. In 2018, German shipbuilders generated a turnover of around EUR 5 billion, which is destined almost fully for export markets. Also the large array of specialised producers in the shipbuilding and offshore supply chain are popular among shipping companies and shipyards around the world. They contribute more than EUR 12 billion to Germanys maritime economy.
Demanding customers, that drive the innovation agenda in shipping turn their eyes to Germany. German shipyards focus on building sophisticated vessels. In 2019, their order intake mainly comprised cruise ships, mega yachts, research and specialised ships for the public sector, and various types of naval vessels.
This is a high-value-market-segment whose customers are prepared to make sustainable investments, not least in climate and environmental protection, and demand correspondingly high-quality and future-oriented solutions.
Due to its outstanding position in research, development and innovation, the German shipbuilding industry is able to meet these technological requirements and to offer tailor-made solutions for transport and environmental challenges in close cooperation with its customers. Its companies offer a wide range of services and products from engineering to the construction of highly specialised electrical, electronic and mechanical systems.
One outstanding example is this year’s »Ship of the Year«, the research vessel ATAIR, which encompasses a whole range of innovative solutions to optimise her research performance.
There are currently only 175 confirmed LNG fuelled ships in operation worldwide. This authority vessel is among the first ships in the world for special tasks to be powered by LNG, which drastically reduces air pollution and offers additionally advantages with regard CO emissions.
Further impressive examples of the innovative strength and versatility of the German shipbuilding and marine technology industry can be found in this special issue of Ships 2019.
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