The project represents the largest and most advanced research and polar logistic icebreaker design and development in the market, replacing the existing Polarstern research ship.

Elomatic Maritime Technologies GmbH and thyssenkrupp Marine Systems AG (tkMS), one of the world’s leading naval companies, have signed a substantial design and engineering contract to support the development of the innovative new Polarstern. The ship will be built at the large and modern shipyard of tkMS in Wismar. The shipyard has a remarkable track record in developing complex icebreaking ships, with more than 120 ships built for polar regions. Its latest multi-mission icebreakers were delivered in 2015 and won the highly recognized “HANSA ship of the year” award.

Elomatic, an international consulting and engineering company, will provide basic and detail engineering work, as well as providing yard consultancy, during the ship construction phase.

In 2022, members of the senior management from MV Werften decided to join Elomatic and establish a company in Wismar. One of the goals was to preserve key ship design expertise in their hometown of Wismar. The new Polarstern project aligns seamlessly with the company’s expertise in designing and constructing groundbreaking Arctic research vessels.

In December 2024, tkMS was awarded the public tender for the construction of the new Polarstern by the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in Bremerhaven, Germany. The contract represents the culmination of a two-year partnership between tkMS and Elomatic to develop the proposal for the new Polarstern project. This vessel is set to become the world’s largest and most advanced icebreaking research and polar logistics ship. It is equipped with a wide portfolio of advanced scientific and logistic equipment, on-board laboratories, and a propulsion system, which uses green fuels in combination with a large battery system. Additionally, the ship can break through 1.8-metre-thick ice. The new vessel is scheduled to replace the existing Polarstern in 2030.

Elomatic brings extensive expertise in icebreaking ship design and engineering. Since 2022, Elomatic has served as the primary design and engineering partner for Canada’s new national polar icebreaker, currently in its detail engineering phase at Vancouver Shipyard (VSY).

Guido Schulte, Managing Director at Elomatic Maritime Technologies GmbH, commented on the announcement: “The new Polarstern project represents a significant moment for Elomatic, as the largest single ship design contract in the company’s 55-year history. We are extremely excited to continue our collaboration with our partners at tkMS look forward to further contributing to the creation of this groundbreaking polar research vessel, to be built in our hometown.”

Oliver Burkhard, CEO of tkMS, said: “With the new Polarstern contract, we apply our maritime expertise also to the civilian sector, and prove that we can offer technological excellence at internationally competitive terms. thyssenkrupp Marine Systems is not only setting shipbuilding standards but also making an active contribution to international research in the fight against climate change – and we are proud to support this mission with technology and innovation. We look forward to continuing this journey together.”

For further information, please contact:

Guido Schulte
Managing Director, Elomatic Maritime Technologies GmbH
guido.schulte@elomatic.com
+49 3841 758 3471

About Elomatic

Elomatic is an international consulting and engineering company that provides top-level expert services, products and turnkey solutions to marine, shipbuilding, machinery, energy, process and pharmaceutical industries. We are focused on continuous improvement and sustainable development, and we are committed to design solutions that increase the wellbeing of people and the environment. Established in 1970, Elomatic employs 1,300 professionals, and has customers in more than 80 countries across the globe.
www.elomatic.com

About thyssenkrupp Marine Systems

thyssenkrupp Marine Systems is one of the world’s leading naval companies with 8,000 employees at three shipyards in Kiel, Wismar and Itajaí (Brazil), and with locations worldwide. The company is active as a systems supplier for submarines and naval surface vessels as well as for maritime electronics and security technologies. Around 3,300 employees work at the Kiel site, making it the largest shipyard location in Germany. 185 years of history and the constant striving for improvement allow the company to set new standards time and time again. thyssenkrupp Marine Systems offers its customers worldwide tailored solutions to meet the highly complex challenges of a changing world. The driving forces behind this innovative energy are the company’s employees, who shape the future of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems with passion and commitment every day.

www.thyssenkrupp-marinesystems.com