The German Association for Shipbuilding and Marine Technology invited guests to the first VSM summer party on board the “Cap San Diego” in beautiful summer weather.
Around 280 guests gathered on the museum ship last Wednesday. Harald Fassmer (VSM President) and Reinhard Lüken (VSM Managing Director) welcomed the guests.
In his short speech, the VSM President addressed the current situation of the German shipbuilding industry. Among other things, the industry is struggling with excessive bureaucracy, a lack of skilled workers and distortions of competition not only from Asia, but also within Europe. Anyone with responsibility here needs good nerves, a lot of experience and a great deal of enthusiasm, said the head of the Fassmer shipyard.
There are many responsible companies in the VSM. The association has 800 direct and indirect member companies, reported Harald Fassmer. It is a great community of interests involved in the various specialist groups, committees, working groups and networks. The VSM President expressly thanked them for their commitment.
“We cannot afford any further loss of substance”
He went on to address the negative aspects of the industry: “Unfortunately, our industry has lost a lot of its substance in recent decades. The last few years, in particular, have left their mark. The largest civilian shipbuilder is currently facing a serious crisis through no fault of its own. We hope that Meyer Werft will find good solutions as quickly as possible and that the company will soon have enough water under its keel. This is of the utmost importance for the industry. We cannot afford any further loss of substance. We need a trend reversal, and we need it urgently,” says Fassmer.
Fortunately, politicians have now understood this, he continued. “Recognition is the best way to improve”. Fassmer was referring to the recent commissioning of the European Commission to develop a maritime strategy. It was good and would also help efforts at a national level. A national “climate-neutral shipping” action plan is now being drawn up alongside other initiatives at federal level. Ultimately, the aim is to implement concrete measures that really help our industry. These include urgently needed investments that support the construction of offshore platforms and converters at German shipyards or the demand for the construction of climate-neutral ships with European added value.
Stable order situation for VSM members
Fassmer also gave an insight into the current order situation: “The capacity utilisation of our companies is very good for the most part and we can expect stable, even increasing demand in all segments in which we are active as shipbuilders, suppliers or in the field of marine technology. As already mentioned, politicians have also recognised the strategic importance of our industry. The outlook for the future should, therefore, be positive.
VSM Managing Director Reinhard Lüken then welcomed the guests: “It’s great to see so many people here. It’s a premiere for us. It’s the first summer party and there’s no program at all.” The idea was for everyone who normally works together to simply come together and celebrate. Lüken also thanked the many sponsors of the evening, including numerous shipyards and suppliers, as well as the publisher HANSA, which was able to support the first VSM summer party.
