German shipyard Lloyd Werft is set to significantly expand its presence in Bremerhaven after securing a 30-year lease for a seven-hectare site at Columbuskaje.
The expansion could mark an important new chapter for the yard, which is owned by the Heinrich Rönner Group, Gustav Zech Foundation and Lürssen. Plans reportedly include the development of a second shipyard and a new floating dock capable of accommodating large cruise ships and cargo vessels.
A major investment in Bremerhaven
The Columbuskaje site was acquired by the City of Bremen in 2023 after previously being used for fruit and general cargo operations. Following a tender process, Lloyd Werft has now been selected to take over the site under a long-term leasehold agreement.
According to Bremenports CEO Robert Howe, the development is expected to create a three-figure number of new jobs, strengthening Bremerhaven’s position as an important centre for shipbuilding, maintenance and maritime services.
The new facility is expected to be used for equipment and parts storage, vessel outfitting and maintenance, while the planned floating dock would allow Lloyd Werft to work on vessels that are too large for some of its existing facilities.
A strong superyacht heritage
Although the newly announced expansion is not specifically positioned as a superyacht facility, Lloyd Werft already has considerable experience with some of the world’s largest yachts.
The yard was responsible for the construction of the 139.7-metre Solaris and completed an extensive nine-month refit of the 126.2-metre Lürssen explorer Octopus.
This background could make the new facility particularly interesting for the superyacht industry, especially as demand continues to grow for yards capable of handling large-scale refit, maintenance and conversion projects.
A significant new superyacht project
The expansion comes at an interesting moment for Lloyd Werft.
Earlier this summer, the yard was selected as the shipyard partner for the construction of Maybach Ocean Club’s 155-metre Beyond Horizons — described as the world’s first invitation-only private members’ club at sea.
With the new Columbuskaje facility, Lloyd Werft could therefore strengthen its position across both the commercial and large-yacht sectors, combining major ship repair capabilities with its growing portfolio of highly complex superyacht projects.
For Bremerhaven, the development represents more than additional shipyard space. It is a long-term investment in the city’s maritime infrastructure — and potentially another important step in establishing northern Germany as a major destination for the world’s largest yachts.
Lloyd Werft is getting bigger. And the next generation of large-scale yacht projects could be one of the beneficiaries.
