Shipowners are more worried. Positive prospects for ports and shipyards
In Germany, companies in the shipbuilding and port sector are confident in good development prospects, while those in the maritime transport sector are more worried about the future. This is highlighted by a survey conducted by IHK Nord, the association that brings together 13 Chambers of Commerce and Industry of northern Germany.
With regard to companies engaged in shipbuilding, the index of the company situation has increased by 7.9 points from 2024, with 84.3% of companies considering that the economic situation will remain unchanged and with nine out of ten companies describing their current situation as good or satisfactory. The factors that worry shipbuilding companies the most are related to the evolution of the economic policy framework (99%), the shortage of workers (63.7%), the trend in labour costs (56.9%) and foreign demand (39.2%), with almost all companies interviewed (99%) currently considering the evolution of economic policy a significant economic risk.
As for the port sector, the index of the business climate has increased by 20.4 points to 97.6 points, with approximately 88.7% of companies in the sector assessing their situation as good or satisfactory and 55% of the total perceiving risks with regard to the development of the cost of labour. In addition, almost 61% of companies complain about the lack of skilled workers, more than 83% express concern about the economic situation, and over 63% consider foreign demand an economic risk.
In the maritime sector, the survey found that despite a good to satisfactory assessment of the current situation, almost 48% of shipping companies expect a less favorable development, while 52% believe it will remain unchanged. Economic policy is a major concern for shipowners (93.0%). In addition, companies in the sector see further risks in labour costs (52.7%) and shortages of skilled workers (42.1%).
