On the occasion of the 175th anniversary of the Berne site, the family-owned company FASSMER celebrated with guests from politics, business and the maritime industry.

The company presented its entrepreneurial milestones, technical pioneering work and the transformation of a medium-sized company into an international speciality shipbuilder.

"Sometimes the sea is smooth as glass, sometimes you fight against the storm," said Managing Director Holger Fassmer in his speech. "Our compass has been our family motto for generations: Wagen un Winnen." A guiding principle that runs through the company's history: from the first dinghies to research vessels, OPVs and climate-neutral propulsion systems. With a current order volume of more than one billion euros, Fassmer has reached an all-time high. Eight new construction projects - from fisheries research vessels to offshore patrol vessels - ensure long-term capacity utilisation for the shipyard. In his speech, Lower Saxony's Minister President Olaf Lies emphasised the importance of the maritime industry for Lower Saxony as a business location and highlighted Fassmer's role as a family business. In addition to words of welcome from District Administrator Siefken, VSM Managing Director Dr Reinhard Lüken and the Oldenburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the sixth generation of entrepreneurs also took centre stage. The "Next Generation" presented itself to the audience as a sign of continuity and new beginnings. One highlight was the visit on board the 125 metre long METEOR IV, currently the shipyard's largest newbuild. The modern research vessel is being built together with Meyer Werft.