German Vice Chancellor and Economy Minister Robert Habeck said on Thursday that a deal to rescue struggling shipyard Meyer Werft from the current financial crisis is “within reach”.
Meyer Werft is a traditional and “very, very efficient” shipyard in Germany, Habeck said during his visit to the video game fair Gamescom in Cologne.
Chancellor Olaf Scholz is expected to visit the shipyard later on Thursday to talk to workers amid reports that progress is being made toward a deal for a government bailout of the shipyard. Top leaders from the German state of Lower Saxony, where the shipyard is located, are also expected to attend.
Meyer Werft, internationally known for building cruise ships, is facing major financial problems due to rising costs that are not included in shipbuilding contracts. It is also difficult to obtain bank loans.
“We have been working intensively on solutions within the Ministry of Economic Affairs in recent weeks,” said Habeck.
According to Habeck, politicians are keen to find a solution so that ships can continue to be built there.
