IHK survey: Sentiment in shipbuilding industry gloomy
The fall survey of the chambers of industry and commerce shows a poor mood in the shipbuilding industry. The economic outlook in this sector has deteriorated significantly. The business climate index in the shipping industry has declined slightly. Only the port industry is showing a slightly positive trend, according to the maritime business survey conducted by IHK Nord, the association of 13 northern German chambers of industry and commerce.
"Despite the possible loss of funding due to the current decision of the Federal Constitutional Court on the climate and transformation fund, a successful energy transition in the maritime industry requires both regulatory and continued financial support from the federal government," warned the Chairman of IHK Nord, Klaus-Jürgen Strupp, on Friday. "There will only be a turnaround and energy transition with a strong national maritime industry."
Companies were particularly concerned about raw material and energy prices, economic conditions, the shortage of skilled workers and labor costs. The economic barometer for the shipbuilding industry showed the most significant decline, falling from 63.1 points to 55.2 points. None of the companies surveyed expected the business situation to develop more favorably in the coming months. 74.4 percent expected the situation to remain the same and 25.6 percent expected it to deteriorate.
The business climate index for shipping companies fell by almost three points to 68.2 points. In the port industry, the index rose from 83 to 93.3 points. It thus remained at an average level. 12 percent of companies in this sector assessed the development of the business situation as more favorable and 53.9 percent as unchanged.
Despite the challenges in the shipbuilding industry, there's still a need for significant investment in shipbuilding technology to boost competitiveness. The shipping industry, in its effort to transition to greener energy sources, continues to seek regulatory and financial support from the government to overcome budget constraints due to rising raw material and energy prices.
Source: www.dpa.com
