Crispen Shipbuilder - Coalition factions declare support for Meyer Werft
SPD and Greens Factions in the Landtag have expressed their support for crisis-stricken Meyer Werft in Papenburg. "We stand for the shipbuilding tradition and the good work being done at the site in Papenburg," said Green parliamentarian Sina Beckmann.
SPD faction leader Grant Hendrik Tonne declared that his faction is fully behind the efforts of the state government to find a future perspective for the Yard in coordination with the Federal Government. "We do not engage in wild speculations about closing scenarios, but rather fight for jobs and for the people in Emsland and East Frisia," Tonne said.
Greatest Crisis since Foundation
Previously, Finance Minister Gerald Heerde (Greens) and Economic Minister Olaf Lies (SPD) informed the Finance and Economic Committees in a special session about the Meyer Werft.
The Meyer Werft, famous for building cruise ships, is in the greatest crisis since its founding over 200 years ago. As a result of the global Corona pandemic and the associated decline in the tourism industry, the company has recently reported losses.
To obtain necessary credits for shipbuilding, guarantees from the Federal and State governments are required. In addition, an increase in capital of 400 million Euro is needed. Public involvement is also possible in this regard. The yard must receive fresh capital by the latest 15. September.
A report attests to the viability and ability to restructure the yard under certain conditions. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Minister-President Stephan Weil (both SPD) have spoken of the future viability of the yard this week.
Beckmann, the Green parliamentarian, named conditions for state aid. Among other things, the company headquarters must be moved back from Luxembourg to Papenburg. In addition, the establishment of a supervisory board with employee participation, the abolition of labor contracts, and the orientation towards sustainable shipping are among the demands.
The SPD and Greens Factions in Lower Saxony's parliament, specifically SPD faction leader Grant Hendrik Tonne, have shown support for Meyer Werft GmbH in Papenburg, a city located in Emsland, East Frisia, Germany, facing its greatest crisis since its founding over 200 years ago. This crisis has been attributed to the global Corona pandemic and its impact on the tourism industry, resulting in losses for the shipbuilding company famous for building cruise ships.
Tonne emphasized that the SPD is not engaging in speculations about closing scenarios but rather fighting for jobs and the welfare of people in Emsland and East Frisia. In a special session, Finance Minister Gerald Heerde (Greens) and Economic Minister Olaf Lies (SPD) informed the Finance and Economic Committees about the crisis at Meyer Werft and the need for credits and government guarantees to continue shipbuilding activities.
To secure these necessary credits, an increase in capital of 400 million Euro is required, and public involvement is possible. The yard must receive fresh capital by September 15th. A report suggests that Meyer Werft can be made viable and restructured under certain conditions.
Green parliamentarian Sina Beckmann outlined demands for state aid, including moving the company headquarters back from Luxembourg to Papenburg, establishing a supervisory board with employee participation, abolishing labor contracts, and transitioning towards sustainable shipping. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Minister-President Stephan Weil (both SPD) have expressed optimism about the future viability of Meyer Werft in recent weeks.
