Germany: Norderwerft Yard Changes Owner

Following intensive negotiations, the receiver of the Sietas shipyard, Berthold Brinkmann, has successfully concluded the sale of the Norderwerft in the harbour of Hamburg to the Lürssen Group based in Bremen. All 94 employees will be taken on as part of the company transfer. Another 40 employees of the Sietas shipyard will be offered jobs in the Lürssen Group. The transfer of Norderwerft is planned for 1 October 2012.

The purchase agreement now concluded is subject to suspensive conditions such as sanction by the Bundeskartellamt (the German antitrust authority), approval by the creditor committee of the Sietas shipyard and conclusion of a lease agreement for the company premises in the harbour of Hamburg. Along with the entire shipyard of Norderwerft, the Lürssen Group has also acquired three floating docks. In future, the company will trade under the name “Norderwerft Repair GmbH.”

The receiver Berthold Brinkmann explained with regard to the agreed continuation of the repair shipyard: “Norderwerft and its employees are the winners in this sale, because the Lürssen Group will further develop the strengths of the shipyard and add new skills. Its successful future appears secure. The fact that one of Europe’s strongest shipbuilding companies is gaining a foothold here is also a gain for Hamburg’s harbour.“

Friedrich Lürßen, managing director of the Lürssen Group, intends to continue to successfully manage Norderwerft: “I’m very pleased that we’re welcome in Hamburg – Norderwerft is a very good match for us as a family company. We willcontinue to provide repairs for merchant and naval ships and want to expand this business together with the motivated workforce.”

[mappress]

Shipbuilding Tribune Staff, August 10, 2012; Image: norderwerft