Technische Innovation als Schutz vor wirtschaftlichem Niedergang?

Abstract

Abstract Technical innovation as protection against economic decline? The development of the Rickmers shipyard from 1945 to the late 1960s The article covers the history of the Rickmers-Shipyard in Bremerhaven from the end of the Second World War up to the end of the 1960s. An initial glance into the interwar years establishes that the shipyard’s restructuring in the 20s and subsequent shift into the production of warships during the 30s and 40s had considerable impact on its afterwar development. Despite the involvement with the Kriegsmarine, Rickmers was able to reopen for business very quickly after the end of the war. Yet, the shipyard was barred from new building projects and relegated to repair jobs for a considerable amount of time. In the 1950s, Rickmers began building new ships and was able to somewhat profit from the shipbuilding boom of the time. Still, most projects proved unprofitable and the onset of the crisis of European shipbuilding in the late 1950s hit the shipyard hard. This set the stage for Rickmers’ decline and ultimate closure in 1986.