Fassmer is bringing shipbuilding back to Stralsund: a new era begins!

Fassmer is bringing shipbuilding back to Stralsund: a new era begins!

A new wind is blowing over Stralsund! The traditional shipbuilder Fassmer from Berne in Lower Saxony has announced that it will set up a new location on the Volkswerft site. The company has leased space and halls and plans to start manufacturing the new fisheries research vessel “Walther Herwig III” at the beginning of 2026. Stralsund's mayor Alexander Badrow is pleased about the return of the shipbuilding industry to the Hanseatic city, especially after the insolvency of MV Werften in 2022, which placed a heavy burden on the local labor market.

Fassmer, an experienced player in the maritime industry, not only wants to expand its manufacturing capacities with its new location, but also actively contribute to the economic revitalization of the region. “We want to strengthen our presence on the Baltic Sea and reactivate the Volkswerft,” explains managing director Jan Oskar Henkel. The return of shipbuilding activities promises not only value creation, but also the creation of new jobs. However, the exact number of new positions is still unclear. Fassmer is already actively looking for potential employees.

A ship for the future

The new research vessel “Walther Herwig III” will meet the latest scientific, technical and environmental standards. With a length of around 85 meters and a width of 18 meters, it will be the largest ship in its fleet. The main area of ​​application extends from the North and Baltic Seas to the North Atlantic, from the subtropics to the icy waters of Greenland. The entire project is supported by a subsidy of around 240 million euros from the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture. The ship replaces an older model that entered service in 1993.

The hull will be manufactured in Stralsund, while final production is expected to be completed in Berne. By choosing the Stralsund location, Fassmer can also enjoy working in modern halls regardless of the weather, which is an enormous advantage in production. This is particularly important with regard to the planned scaling of production and the reduction of dependencies on foreign supply chains.

A new chapter for Stralsund

The construction of the Fassmer location in Stralsund represents a significant step in the revitalization of the maritime industry. The project has the potential to further expand the location as an active center for the maritime industry. In addition to ship manufacturing, Fassmer also plans to locate additional economic activities such as maintenance and repair of ships in the new facility. “We have a good knack for sustainable collaboration with regional partners,” says the managing director.

Overall, developments show that something is moving again in Stralsund. Shipbuilding could offer the region a promising future. The city has made intensive efforts to open the shipyard halls for new uses now that the MV shipyards no longer exist. Fassmer's plans are a positive signal for the economy and the local people. It remains to be seen exactly when the first ships will be launched, but unanimously the signs are more than favorable.

For further information on this topic, you can refer to the reporting by Wismar FM and the official report Fassmer.de as well as the city of Stralsund Stralsund.de turn around.