Meyer Werft is considering entering the arms industry

Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, specializing in the construction of cruise ships, is considering entering the arms industry. "We are presently working with a strategy consultant and we are examining what the function Meyer can play in "grey goods", i.e. in the military sector," said the managing manager Ralf Schmitz for ‘Handelsblatt’.

The shipyard together with the shipyard Lürssen is already building supply ships. "If we focus primarily on defense, we could build 4 to 5 frigates in series, which no 1 else in Germany can do," says Schmitz's restructuring expert. 1 advantage is covered docks that cannot be seen by enemy drones or satellites.

According to the report, the company has no experience in defence technologies specified as radars or weapons systems. "We would so gotta cooperate or take over this part, which would surely not be easy given the hard situation on the marketplace and well-established suppliers," Schmitz said.

The national Government and the Land of Lower Saxony saved the shipyard established in 1795 from bankruptcy in late 2024. The household company suffered heavy from the coronavirus pandemic, during which there were almost no fresh orders.