Did you know that Blohm+Voss has been building ships here since 1877? It started with Hermann Blohm and Ernst Voss. They wanted to build steel-hulled ships.
Blohm+Voss is located in the heart of the Port of Hamburg. This location is important to Hamburg. The view of the Elbe River with ships passing by is inspiring.
In the beginning, British shipyards dominated. Even German customers preferred them. Blohm+Voss focused on ship repairs at first. They eventually built and sold a three-masted barque called National. The first new order came for a small cargo paddle-steamer Burg. The business then began to grow. By 1882, the company was known for quality and punctuality.
Initially, Blohm+Voss built steel-hulled sailing ships. These were designed for long sea voyages. Steamships had shorter ranges back then. Steel construction offered advantages to sailing ships too. The company built its first steamship in 1900. They continued to build sailing ships until the late 1930s.
After Hermann Blohm died, his sons Rudolf and Walther Blohm took over. Ernst Voss left soon after. The company faced financial problems. So, the Blohm brothers started Hamburger Flugzeugbau in 1933. They diversified into aircraft construction.
With the rise of the Nazi Party in 1933, Germany rearmed. Blohm+Voss became involved in the program. The shipyard built civilian and warships. The battleship Bismarck was built here. Later, they manufactured U-boats in large numbers.
After World War II, shipbuilding was forbidden. Blohm+Voss almost disappeared. In 1950, they created Steinwerder Industrie AG. This subsidiary made machinery and boilers. Ship repair work was allowed again in 1952. The City of Hamburg guaranteed them credit. By 1953, 900 workers were employed again. The first ship built was the Wappen von Hamburg in 1955.
Blohm+Voss built oil rigs after the war. They developed offshore products. These included support ships and pipelines. The company also built ships for commercial customers. Luxury yachts were also part of the portfolio. Eclipse is one example. It was built for Roman Abramovich. Blohm+Voss still manages the Elbe 17 dry dock in Hamburg.
In 2001, Blohm+Voss got a contract to build K130 MEKO frigates. These were for the German Navy. The first one, Braunschweig, was built here. It was launched in 2006 and commissioned in 2008.
In 2016, Lürssen acquired Blohm+Voss. This acquisition enhanced their capabilities. It combined naval and luxury yacht construction.
Blohm+Voss has a rich history. It has contributed significantly to shipbuilding. Its legacy continues under Lürssen. Blohm+Voss remains a key player in the maritime industry.