a lot of hard work. For STX Finland’s Turku
financing. Eventually, the order went to the
NEW OWNERS
shipyard and its subcontractors, the ’Mein
Saint-Nazaire shipyard in France.
IN SIGHT
One year later, in February 2014,
On 8 May 2014, Mr. Jan Vapaavuori – the
Scandlines – who had previously placed a
Finnish Minister of Industries – announced
For the last couple of years, the over-
preliminary order for two passenger ferries
that the state of Finland and Meyer Werft
all situation of STX’s Turku shipyard has
to Turku shipyard – announced that their
shipyard from Germany were negotiating
been somewhat precarious. The shipyard’s
ships will be manufactured by a German
for ownership of STX Finland’s Turku
Korean owners have faced financing trou-
shipyard. Again, financing arrangements
shipyard with STX’s Korean owners.
bles that have affected their overseas ship-
were too problematic.
Schiff 3’ project brought some 5 500 manyears of labour.
yards.
While the negotiations are still in pro-
The situation even threatened the TUI
gress and a lot of uncertainties remain,
In Turku, this has meant that the
orders. In early 2013, however, a financing
the news was received with careful opti-
shipyard has lost a few large shipbuild-
contract was agreed upon by the Finnish gov-
mism as such a change in ownership
ing orders. At the start of 2013, a prelim-
ernment, STX, TUI Cruises, and the specialised
might secure the ongoing operation of
inary order for a luxury cruiser was with-
financing company Finnvera. This ensured the
STX Finland’s Turku shipyard.
drawn as no agreement was reached on
continued production of the TUI cruisers.
12
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Further confirmation ensued when