Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems Unveils Major Advancements in Surface Vessel Innovation
The Brazilian Navy, in collaboration with the procurement entity EMGEPRON and Águas Azuis—a partnership formed by thyssenkrupp, Embraer Defence & Security, and Atech—celebrated the keel laying of the nation’s most sophisticated frigate. This pivotal event transpired on June 6, 2024, at the thyssenkrupp Estaleiro Brasil Sul shipyard situated in Itajaí. The new frigate, designated the “Jerônimo de Albuquerque,” represents the second vessel in Brazil’s Tamandaré-class frigate program, which aims to build a total of four units. These MEKO® class ships embody cutting-edge technology coupled with formidable combat prowess.
The Tamandaré project is acclaimed as Brazil’s most innovative naval construction venture, crafted with local talent and a technology transfer facilitated by thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. In 2020, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems completed an agreement to acquire the shipyard in Itajaí, Brazil, where approximately 1,300 personnel are actively involved in the Tamandaré initiative. This facility holds strategic importance: It will be further expanded into a central hub for South America, improving customer service and enhancing local value creation while establishing a dependable network.
“We are excited to mark yet another milestone in the surface vessel sector. The assembly of Brazil’s most sophisticated frigate not only highlights our ambitions in global surface ship development but also strengthens our partnerships throughout South America,” remarked Oliver Burkhard, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. “In the future,” he added, “we aspire to evolve our product leadership into a systems leadership. This involves providing not only exceptional subsystems but also the finest integrated solutions. To achieve this, we are working towards a new stature as a maritime powerhouse, solidifying and augmenting our status as a leading naval entity.”
The keel laying of the frigate with the construction number F201 symbolizes another milestone in the surface vessel industry. It follows the successes of 2023, when the third high-performance frigate for the Egyptian Navy was delivered at record speed at the end of the year. The fourth frigate was launched in early December 2023 and is currently being finalized in close cooperation with thyssenkrupp Marine Systems at Egypt’s Alexandria Shipyard.
thyssenkrupp Marine Systems stands as the sole provider in Germany merging both the surface vessel and submarine sectors, including naval electronics. It boasts substantial production capabilities and, with the acquisition of a state-of-the-art shipyard site in Wismar, has created additional facilities for simultaneous boat fabrication.
In addition to its strong position in the surface vessel arena, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems claims the title of global leader in conventional submarine manufacturing: The commencement of production for the Type 212CD submarines for Germany and Norway signifies the largest order in the company’s history. Recent achievements include signing a letter of intent to construct new submarines for India and the christening of the “Inimitable” for Singapore. Furthermore, Marine Systems based in Kiel is currently fabricating the largest submarines, measuring approximately 70 meters in length and displacing around 2,000 tonnes. The company is also engaged in discussions with other potential clients in both surface vessel and submarine construction sectors.
To address the ever-increasing demands, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems will continue its growth trajectory as a maritime powerhouse in the coming months, enhancing integrated system solutions. To support this expansion, it aims to align its organizational structure with the decision to merge thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and ATLAS ELEKTRONIK. Additionally, thyssenkrupp, alongside owner Carlyle, is exploring cooperative opportunities regarding the anticipated autonomy of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. Both entities have consented to conduct a comprehensive review and evaluation, with a focus on a potential partial sale to Carlyle. Simultaneously, discussions are ongoing with the German government and KfW Bank regarding state participation in thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.
From a financial perspective, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems is well-prepared for the forthcoming years. By the end of the 2022/23 fiscal year, its order backlog had peaked at approximately 13 billion euros.
