The Turku shipyard, owned by the German Meyer family through their company Meyer Werft, is a major employer in Finland. The shipyard employs approximately 10,000 people and is a significant source of export income for the country. However, Meyer Werft is facing financial difficulties and needs 2.7 billion euros in funding by 2027. Negotiations for funding are ongoing with the state of Lower Saxony and the federal government.
The possible bankruptcy of Meyer Werft could have consequences for the Turku shipyard and its subcontractors. The Finnish government closely monitors the situation due to its importance to the economy. The German government is also involved in supporting Meyer Werft through loan guarantees or direct loans.
The shipbuilding industry has been challenging in recent years, with rising costs and disruptions caused by the pandemic. Finnvera, which manages export credit in Finland, has over 12 billion euros in guarantee risk related to ship orders. The Turku shipyard’s biggest customers are US-based cruise lines like Carnival Cruises and Royal Caribbean.
Despite these challenges, the Turku shipyard has work for the next two years and is expected to receive new orders. The shipyard recently completed a valuable and successful project, the Icon of the Seas cruise ship. The Finnish government and Finnvera are closely monitoring the situation, especially with regards to financing advance payments for ships under construction.
In conclusion, while Meyer Werft faces financial difficulties, it remains an important player in the global shipping industry. The success of projects like Icon of the Seas shows that there is still demand for high-quality ships despite rising costs and other challenges faced by companies like Meyer Werft.
