![TKMS boasts a substantial order book with billions in contracts (Archiveimage). [Image]](/en/img/2025/05/18/1519810/jpeg/4-3/1200/75/image-description.webp)
TKMS fell short in its contract performance record - Highly-demanded submarine manufacturer, TKMS, experiences surplus of contracts.
Let's dive straight into the action! The Kiel-based titan of submersible craft-building, Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), is riding high on success, boasting a staggering order backlog of over €16 billion, according to CEO Oliver Burkhard himself. The shipyard scored substantial orders worth around €5.6 billion in the first half of 2024/2025, a considerable increase from the €669 million earnt in the same period the previous year.
The Singapore Shocker
Earlier in May, Singapore shook things up with an order for two more 70-meter-long submarines from TKMS's northern German shipyard. This addition bumped the order book to approximately €18 billion, as stated by Burkhard. The submarines will be built at the TKMS shipyard in Wismar, not the headquarters in Kiel, where the initial units for Singapore were constructed.
The German Navy's Turn
In December 2024, the Budget Committee of the German Bundestag gave the green light for the construction of four more modern Type 212CD-class submarines for the German Navy. The order volume for these German units amounts to €4.7 billion alone. Previously, TKMS also hinted at Norway's potential interest in increasing its submarine count.
Arctic Exploration and Beyond
TKMS was also handed the contract to build the new research icebreaker "Polarstern" for the Alfred Wegener Institute in Bremerhaven, and has expressed interest in a potential submarine order from Canada.
Revenue and Profit Boost
Revenue for the first half of 2024/25 saw a spectacular jump to over €1.1 billion, an impressive increase from last year's €965 million. The adjusted operating profit before interest and taxes (EBIT) surged from October to the end of March, reaching €62 million (compared to €42 million in the same period last year). Unfortunately, no net result figures were disclosed.
A Globally Recognized Powerhouse
With nearly 8,000 employees across its shipyards in Kiel, Wismar, and Itajaí (Brazil), along with numerous global locations, TKMS stands tall as one of the world's trailblazers in the marine industry.
The Future is Bright for TKMS
With a record-level order backlog, TKMS is setting the stage for an expansion of its maritime portfolio, demonstrating a commitment to its promise of superior submarine construction and a dedication to meeting the evolving needs of its clients. The sustained demand for advanced submarines worldwide provides TKMS with a strong foundation to continue its reign as a key player in the industry for the foreseeable future.
- Submarine orders
- ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS)
- Shipyard
- Huge order backlog
- Oliver Burkhard
- Singapore
- Type 212CD-class submarines
- Germany
- CEO
- Stealth design
- Air-independent propulsion
- Global security concerns
- Exports
- Wisma
- Polarstern research icebreaker
- Canada
- Type 218SG submarines
- Norway
- Geopolitical tensions
- The extraordinary order backlog of over €18 billion for ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) includes the recent orders from Singapore for Type 218SG submarines, demonstrating TKMS' significant role in the global marine industry.
- TKMS, with its expertise in submarine construction, is expanding its maritime portfolio, capitalizing on the global security concerns and geopolitical tensions that have resulted in increased demand for stealth design submarines with air-independent propulsion, such as the Type 212CD-class submarines for the German Navy and potential future orders from Norway and Canada.
