Rheinmetall Acquires Blohm+Voss and NVL: Expansion into Marine Sector

Expand into marine sector Rheinmetall Allowed to Acquire Blohm+Voss and NVL

2026-02-18 Source: dpa 1 min Reading Time

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The EU gives the green light: Germany's largest arms manufacturer is allowed to acquire shipyards. Rheinmetall is set to enter the naval shipbuilding sector.

Following a decision by the EU Commission, Rheinmetall has received approval to purchase the military division NVL of the Bremen-based Lürssen shipbuilding group. Germany’s largest defence contractor had agreed on the acquisition with Lürssen in September, which also includes the Blohm+Voss shipyard in the Port of Hamburg.

"The transaction primarily concerns the construction of surface vessels and related services in the defence sector," stated the competition regulators of the European Union. Following their assessment, they expressed no antitrust concerns due to limited effects on market structure.

Rheinmetall aiming to expand into marine sector

With this acquisition, Rheinmetall aims to broaden its portfolio and tap into naval shipbuilding as an additional business area. The company currently does not build its own ships but engages in business with the navy, such as supplying naval guns and laser modules. The parties have agreed to keep the purchase price confidential.

The private shipbuilding group Lürssen was divided in October 2021 into the naval division Naval Vessels Lürssen (NVL) and a yachting division. NVL is specialised in the design and manufacture of naval and governmental vessels for the German Navy and customers worldwide. In Germany, NVL includes four shipyards: Peene-Werft in Wolgast (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern), parts of Blohm+Voss and Norderwerft in Hamburg, as well as Neue Jadewerft in Wilhelmshaven. Additional sites are located in Bulgaria, Croatia, Egypt, and Brunei.

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