FSG has secured an urgently needed order after all and has been able to put an end to the impasse surrounding the construction of LNG bunker ships.
The shipping company Nordic Hamburg and Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft (FSG) have signed a contract for the construction of two 110-metre bunker ships. They are to be built between 2024 and 2026, it is reported. The “Krios” (build no. 800) and the “Astraios” (build no. 801) are to supply seagoing vessels in German and European ports with LNG in future. [ds_preview]
FSG had to renegotiate
At the end of last year, shortly before Christmas, Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck even handed over three funding decisions totaling €62 million for three bunker ships to a consortium led by Nordic Hamburg and Titan LNG.
However, according to FSG, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine had led to “dramatic price increases” for materials and energy. Due to the resulting higher construction prices, the signing of the contract remained in limbo for a long time.
The contracting parties have reportedly agreed not to disclose the exact order volume for the two units that have now been ordered. All that is known is that they are also to be upgraded for future deliveries of ammonia and methanol.
Order follows crisis meeting on FSG
Just a few weeks ago, there was a crisis meeting in Flensburg between FSG owner Lars Windhorst, the German government’s maritime coordinator Dieter Janecek, the Minister of Economic Affairs for the state of Schleswig-Holstein and IG Metall. This was triggered by the fact that the shipyard had fallen behind with the payment of wages to around 600 employees.
Specifically, the issue concerned state and federal guarantees to secure potential orders. Venture investor Windhorst had subsequently expressed confidence that he would soon be able to announce good news for the shipbuilding company. This has now been achieved.
