seatec - Finnish marine technology review 1/2010 | Page 34

German Yards Strengthen Focus on Special-Purpose Ships to Approach New Markets In 2009, Germany’s shipbuilding industry was severely hit by the impact of the international economic crisis and the global collapse of shipping markets. But despite a significant production downturn and declining order volumes the year was not an exclusively bleak one – quite a number of yards succeeded to increase their efficiency, to strengthen their technologic leadership and to approach new markets with innovative products. The cruise ship M/V “AIDAblu” delivered by Meyer Werft in Papenburg in February 2010. 32 seatec 1/2010