Wismar is booming: 140 new jobs at TKMS create the future of submarines!

Wismar is booming: 140 new jobs at TKMS create the future of submarines!

The boom in submarine production is causing the job market in Wismar to take off. The German naval shipbuilders TKMS recently hired around 140 new employees to cope with increasing demand. Loud Baltic Sea newspaper This means that more than 400 employees now work at the shipyard. By the end of 2029, this number is expected to increase to around 1,500.

A look at the statistics shows: TKMS' order backlog, currently at a record value of 18.2 billion euros, is 55% higher than in the previous year. This is not simple numerical acrobatics, but a clear response to a growing number of orders, including the delivery of submarines for the German Navy and the construction of the research icebreaker “Polarstern”. The company has been awarded the contract for the research icebreaker and plans to significantly expand production capacity in Wismar.

Investments in the future

A key element of this expansion is the planned investments of over 200 million euros. These funds will go towards modernizing the hall infrastructure and installing a new production line for submarines. This rapid development is not accidental, as TKMS aims to make Wismar a hybrid shipyard that can be used for multiple projects at the same time, including parts of the F127 frigate project.

The personnel situation must not be ignored. Apart from the 140 newly hired workers, almost 90 percent of the new employees are former employees of Meyer Werft. This personnel policy could turn out to be a smart move because the specialists already bring valuable experience with them. But the restructuring is still in its early stages; the company is already planning to convert significant parts of the shipyard by 2025.

Shipbuilding competition

International shipbuilding is under pressure. In times of global competition, European shipyards are trying to develop innovative ships in order to maintain their market share. A look at the numbers from Statista shows that global shipbuilding experienced a severe crisis from 2013 to 2021. But the signs of recovery are visible: German shipyards achieved sales of around seven billion euros in 2023, which is above the average of recent years.

For TKMS, the competition is a challenge, but at the same time also an opportunity. With the constantly growing order backlog, the company is ideally positioned to gain further international traction. Negotiations are currently underway for orders with Canada and India, among others. And the hope of further orders, such as the Frigate Project 126 for the German Navy, could soon pay off.

There are also exciting developments in the area. TKMS has made a non-binding purchase offer for the neighboring Kiel shipyard German Naval Yards, the amount of which remains secret. These strategic moves can further consolidate TKMS' position in the international market as competition, especially from China, becomes increasingly intense. The shipyard industry remains exciting and dynamic - and the signs point to growth for Wismar.