Werft would particularly like to build very
large cruise ships in Turku. Meyer’s shipyard in Papenburg is situated on the shore
of Ems River, which necessitates the transport of ready-built ships to the seaside,
for a distance of more than 40 kilometres.
”This makes it very difficult to build
ships of more than 200 gross tonnes at
Papenburg shipyard. On the other hand,
even Genesis-class ships are no problem
for Turku shipyard,” Hietarinta points out.
“
Genesis-class
ships are no
problem for Turku
shipyard.
GUARANTEED EMPLOYMENT
Mr. Hietarinta recounts that a few marine
subcontractors in Finland have already
won contracts from Meyer Werft GmbH’s
shipyard in Papenburg.
”However, the crucial task for the
subcontractors will be to boost the shipyard industry in Finland and make it successful again. Contracts in Papenburg are
not equally significant. Besides, local subcontractors in Germany may prove to be
very tough competitors.”
”What is essential is that the current
jobs at Turku shipyard will be saved. If new
ships are ordered from Turku – in addition
to the TUI cruisers – even additional jobs
for shipbuilders are likely to be created in
Finland,” Mr. Hietarinta expects.
According to him, the new ownership arrangement at Turku shipyard will
be beneficial to all marine subcontractors
in Finland.
”Now that the purchase has been
made, we are eagerly waiting to see just
what the new owner of the shipyard
intends to do. We do not have all the information yet – but I expect we shall be wiser
within a few months.”
seatec 1/2015
37