Finnish naval architects target German market

Helsinki-headquartered naval architect and marine engineering company, Foreship Ltd, is preparing to open an office in Hamburg’s Hafen City. Foreship GmbH, led by the company’s current head of Machinery, Olli Somerkallio, will aim to strengthen links with existing customers in Germany and develop new ones.

Just last month, venture capital firm, Vaaka Partners, acquired a 60% holding in Foreship and is keen for the company – a cruise specialist – to expand in this buoyant sector. In terms of project numbers, the Finnish firm is a leading cruise design expert and project manager in both construction and refits. The company now has three other offices in Finland, two in the United States and one in Estonia.
Cruise clients in Germany have recently tapped the firm for its expertise in stability, hydrodynamics, energy efficiency and emission-free technologies. Meanwhile, Somerkallio has recently managed Foreship’s role in the construction of the Crystal Endeavor at MV Werften Wismar/Stralsund in Germany. The Crystal Endeavor, owned by Crystal Cruises, a Genting Hong Kong subsidiary, is Foreship’s largest project to date. The vessel is due to embark on its maiden voyage in August 2020.