- Saving Meyer Werft, we're moving in the right direction.
Stephan Weil, the Minister President of Lower Saxony, expresses confidence in the proposed financial aid for the Meyer Werft in Papenburg. While various parties like the European Union need to give their approval, Weil indicates that things are looking positive. He emphasized that there's a mutual agreement in place. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz had previously promised federal assistance to the shipyard on Thursday.
The Meyer Werft is grappling with an existential threat due to escalating energy and raw material expenses in shipbuilding. To fund new ship projects, it requires a substantial financial boost. The current talks involve the German federal government and Lower Saxony temporarily taking part in the shipyard to boost its equity by roughly 400 million euros. Furthermore, the shipyard requires assurances to secure new loans for shipbuilding.
Weil stresses the cruise industry's growth potential and the critical role of the Meyer Werft. In light of this, he justifies state aid even in the face of criticism. "The Meyer Werft is leading globally in terms of eco-friendly propulsion for cruise ships," he stated. Examples include the use of methanol or LNG for propulsion. Moreover, over 17,000 jobs across Germany are directly linked to the shipyard.
Stephan Weil, recognizing the significance of the Meyer Werft in Lower Saxony, underscores the potential impact of its growth on the local economy. With the financial aid proposal under consideration, he hopes that Lower Saxony's contribution to the shipyard's equity will help safeguard the over 17,000 jobs connected to it in Germany.
