What Fassmer does

Fassmer (legal entity Fr. Fassmer GmbH & Co. KG) is a privately held, sixth-generation German family shipbuilder founded in 1850 and headquartered in Berne, Germany, with 1,001–5,000 employees and subsidiaries across Poland, China, Taiwan, Singapore, and the United States. The company operates four interconnected business divisions: Maritime (special-purpose vessels including research ships, offshore patrol vessels, ferries, SAR vessels, and explorer yachts), Defence (military boats, the LMV 60 littoral mission vessel, and training boats), Composite Technology (fibre-reinforced polymer solutions such as lightweight passenger gangways), and Service (maintenance, repair, and spare parts delivered through its global service subsidiary network). Core technical capabilities span custom vessel design, climate-friendly propulsion (exemplified by the LNG RÜGEN patrol vessel), and integrated composite manufacturing, with vessels ranging from 7-metre SAR boats to the 125-metre METEOR IV research ship.

Fassmer generates revenue almost exclusively through project-based, custom-built contracts secured via direct enterprise sales to government defense ministries (notably the German Navy and Indonesian Navy), research institutions (such as Germany's Federal Office for Agriculture and Food), and maritime authorities. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is determined per project based on vessel specifications and client requirements. Revenue is recognized over long construction cycles typical of naval and research vessels, and is supplemented by recurring aftermarket service revenue across the installed base. The company's commercial pipeline is reinforced by partnerships and joint construction arrangements with strategic collaborators including Meyer Werft, Abeking & Rasmussen, and PT Palindo Marine.

As of September 2025, Fassmer reported an all-time-high order volume exceeding €1 billion across eight major newbuild projects, alongside the opening of a new production facility at the historic Volkswerft in Stralsund (operations beginning early 2026) and a February 2026 contract for four SAMSe mod training boats for the German Navy with first delivery scheduled for end of 2028. The company operates with no institutional investor ownership, retaining full family control under Managing Partner Harald Fassmer and Managing Directors Holger Fassmer and Jan Henkel.

Name

Fassmer

Legal name

Fr. Fassmer GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://fassmer.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1850

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Fassmer is a sixth-generation German family shipbuilder (founded 1850) that designs and constructs custom naval, research, and special-purpose vessels for government defense ministries, maritime authorities, and research institutions across Europe and Asia-Pacific, with a €1B+ order backlog.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Naval and Special-Purpose Shipbuilding

NAICS

Ship Building and Repairing (336611), Ship and Boat Building (3366)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Patrol, Interceptor & Law-Enforcement Craft (Coast Guard, Customs) (IMAJADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Combat & Auxiliary Naval Vessel Systems (IMABAKAA), Life-Saving Appliances & Safety Equipment (Davit Systems, Lifeboats, Firefighting) (IMAJAIAG), Naval & Government Vessel Maintenance & Modernization (TLAKAKAB)

Keywords

• Special shipbuilding
• Naval vessel construction
• Offshore patrol vessels
• Composite marine technology
• Ship repair services

Headquarters

HQ city

Berne

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Shipbuilding: Design, construction and delivery of custom-built vessels including naval patrol boats, training vessels, research ships, and offshore patrol vessels. Revenue generated through project-based contracts with government and institutional clients.
2. Service and Maintenance: Service operations including maintenance, repair and support for vessels across maritime, defense and composite sectors.
3. Composite Technology Solutions: Composite technology products including lightweight passenger gangways and specialized composite components for marine applications.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Fassmer designs, builds, and delivers custom vessels across four business divisions: Maritime (research vessels, offshore patrol vessels, ferries, explorer yachts, SAR boats), Defence (military boats including the LMV 60 littoral mission vessel, training boats, and submarine concepts), Composite Technology (fibre-reinforced polymer products such as lightweight passenger gangways), and Service (worldwide vessel maintenance, repair, and spare parts). Output ranges from 7m boats to 125m research ships, with proprietary climate-neutral and LNG propulsion technology.

Product overview

Fassmer is a fifth-generation family-owned German shipbuilder with four interconnected business divisions: Maritime (special purpose vessels including research ships, patrol vessels, ferries, and yachts), Defence (military boats, the LMV 60 littoral mission vessel, and training boats), Composite (fibre-reinforced polymer solutions including passenger gangways), and Service (global maintenance, repair, and spare parts support). The company operates as a specialist shipbuilder with current order volume exceeding one billion euros, featuring eight major new construction projects. Key products include the METEOR IV research vessel, WALTHER HERWIG fishery research vessel, RÜGEN LNG patrol vessel, and various military boats. The portfolio spans vessels from 7m SAR boats to 125m research ships, unified by the company's focus on technological excellence, climate-friendly propulsion systems, and digitalization across its shipyard network.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Maritime Vessels Special purpose vessels including research vessels, offshore patrol vessels, ferries, explorer yachts, and SAR vessels for commercial and governmental maritime applications.
• Defence Vessels Military boats and naval vessels including the LMV 60 Littoral Mission Vessel, training boats, patrol vessels, and submarine concepts for defence and security operations.
• Composite Technology Products Fibre-reinforced polymer composite solutions including lightweight passenger gangways for marine applications, providing weight reduction and durability benefits.
• Maritime Service and Maintenance Worldwide maintenance, repair, spare parts, and operational support services for vessels, delivered through a network of service subsidiaries across Germany, Singapore, and the United States.
• METEOR IV Research Vessel 125-metre ocean-going research ship for climate and environmental studies, the shipyard's largest newbuild, constructed in collaboration with Meyer Werft for the German research fleet.
• WALTHER HERWIG Fishery Research Vessel Fishery research vessel commissioned by the Federal Office for Agriculture and Food (BLE) in Germany, meeting current scientific, technical and environmental standards for marine research.
• RÜGEN LNG Multi-Purpose Patrol Vessel Liquefied natural gas powered offshore patrol vessel featuring innovative climate-neutral propulsion technology for demanding maritime missions.
• LMV 60 Littoral Mission Vessel Naval ship designed for rapid littoral (coastal) missions, representing Fassmer's defence capabilities for nearshore naval operations.
• SAMSe mod Training Boats Four training vessels designated SAMSe (mod) for the German Navy, serving as training platforms for nautical training and survival-at-sea ('Überleben auf See') courses.
• KRI Canopus (936) Hydro-Oceanographic Vessel 105-metre hydro-oceanographic vessel for the Indonesian Navy equipped with advanced hydrographic systems, jointly constructed with PT Palindo Marine and Abeking & Rasmussen.
• Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) Naval patrol vessels in the 80m-90m range designed for offshore surveillance, border protection, and maritime security operations.
• Research and Survey Vessels Oceanographic, hydrographic, and fishery research vessels ranging from 18m to 65m for marine science, environmental studies, and bathymetric surveys.
• Ferries Passenger and RO-PAX ferries ranging from 58m to 83m, including LNG-powered vessels for sustainable maritime transportation.
• Explorer Yachts Luxury expedition yachts from 48m to 65m designed for long-range cruising and exploration in challenging maritime environments.
• Search and Rescue Vessels (SAR) Maritime rescue vessels ranging from 7m to 46m equipped for search and rescue operations in various sea conditions.
• Military Boats Military watercraft including fast patrol boats, combat boats, and naval support vessels for defence and security applications.
• Lightweight Passenger Gangway Composite fibre-reinforced gangway systems for marine passenger transfer, offering reduced weight and enhanced durability compared to conventional metal alternatives.

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• PT Palindo MarinecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Joint venture partner for Indonesian Navy hydro-oceanographic vessel KRI Canopus (936). The 105-metre vessel was floated out in Bremen, Germany as part of collaborative construction effort between PT Palindo Marine, Abeking & Rasmussen, and Fassmer.
• Abeking & RasmussencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Collaborative partner for Indonesian Navy hydro-oceanographic vessel construction. Jointly built the 105-metre KRI Canopus (936) with PT Palindo Marine and Fassmer.
• Meyer WerftcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2025Strategic collaboration for construction of METEOR IV, the 125-metre research vessel currently the shipyard's largest newbuild. Represents technological excellence and international partnership in shipbuilding.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS): TKMS is Germany's largest naval shipbuilder, building submarines, frigates, and corvettes for the German Navy and allied navies. It is a tier-one incumbent whose expansion into smaller OPVs and special-purpose vessels increasingly overlaps with Fassmer's niche.
• Blohm+Voss: Blohm+Voss is a long-established Hamburg-based shipyard with naval, research vessel, and luxury yacht capabilities. It competes with Fassmer in German naval and ocean-going research vessel tenders but operates as part of a broader ThyssenKrupp-owned portfolio.
• Fincantieri: Fincantieri is one of the world's largest shipbuilders, with extensive naval, research, and ferry capabilities across Europe. It is a broad incumbent whose VARD and Italian yards compete with Fassmer in research and special-purpose vessel tenders.
• Naval Group: Naval Group is the French state naval shipbuilder producing frigates, submarines, and OPVs. It competes indirectly with Fassmer when European navies consolidate their procurement across combatant and patrol vessel categories.

Direct peers

• Fr. Lürssen Werft: Lürssen is a German family-owned naval and yacht shipbuilder of similar vintage and product breadth to Fassmer, building OPVs, corvettes, and fast patrol craft for governments worldwide. It is the closest direct competitor in the German special-purpose and naval vessel segment.
• Abeking & Rasmussen: Abeking & Rasmussen is a German shipyard specializing in naval patrol vessels, SWATH designs, and large yachts, and is already a co-development partner with Fassmer on the KRI Canopus for the Indonesian Navy. Product mix, customer profile (navies and research institutes), and scale are highly comparable.
• Damen Shipyards: Damen is a Dutch shipbuilding group with a large catalog of patrol vessels, OPVs, research vessels, and fast patrol craft delivered globally. Its standardized but customizable product range directly competes with Fassmer for government and coast guard customers outside Germany.
• Viking Norsafe Life-Saving Equipment: Viking Norsafe is a global supplier of lifeboats, davit systems, and safety equipment for the maritime industry, overlapping with Fassmer's davit and life-saving appliance product line and its SAR vessel business. It is a relevant peer for the safety-equipment and SAR segments of Fassmer's portfolio.

Others

• Meyer Werft: Meyer Werft is a large German shipbuilder primarily known for cruise ships, currently a strategic co-development partner with Fassmer on the METEOR IV 125-metre research vessel. It is comparable as a German shipbuilding partner with capacity to build large ocean-going vessels.

Emerging players

• SAFE Boats International: SAFE Boats International is a US-based aluminum patrol boat builder supplying coast guards, law enforcement, and military customers worldwide. It overlaps with the smaller end of Fassmer's military boats product line and represents a comparable specialist patrol craft competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Fassmer