Ostseestaal manufactures hull elements on behalf of Hitzler Werft

Flame cut

First steel cut for new Helmholtz research vessel „Coriolis“

Stralsund, January 2023 - The first steel cut for a new research vessel of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon in Geesthacht (Schleswig-Holstein) took place at Ostseestaal GmbH & Co. KG in Stralsund on Thursday, 19 January 2023. The specialist company from Stralsund was commissioned by the Hitzler shipyard in Lauenburg, Schleswig-Holstein, to produce all the steel elements for the hull of the special ship, which is around 30 metres long and eight metres wide. „With this project for the Hitzler shipyard, Ostseestaal is once again proving itself to be a highly flexible and innovative supplier for yacht, ship and special shipbuilding,“ says Michael Schultze, BU manager/authorised signatory of the company. Over the past two decades, Ostseestaal has developed into a technology leader in the 3D cold forming of sheet metal, particularly for highly complex assemblies and structures on behalf of shipbuilding companies in Germany and abroad. Ostseestaal will deliver the structural steel elements for the Helmholtz research vessel to the Hitzler shipyard just-in-time in the coming weeks.

The new ship being built at the Hitzler shipyard will be named „Coriolis“ after the French physicist Gaspard Gustave de Coriolis (1792 - 1843). In addition to two to three crew members, up to twelve scientists will work on the research vessel. A laboratory (47 square metres) and a 70 square metre working deck will be available on board for their scientific work. The „Coriolis“ will be deployed on the Elbe and within a radius of 100 nautical miles in the North and Baltic Seas. Among other things, it will be used to investigate which nutrients and pollutants enter the sea through rivers and how changing climatic conditions affect the coastal landscape. The specialised ship can reach a maximum speed of 12.8 knots and has an engine output of twice 400 kilowatts (kW). It will also be equipped with a fuel cell for further research into hydrogen technology. The „Coriolis“ is scheduled for delivery in spring 2024.

The Stralsund-based company Ostseestaal currently employs around 200 people. Ostseestaal GmbH & Co. KG specialises in the manufacture and supply of precisely fitting assemblies made from cut and three-dimensionally formed sheet metal. High-quality materials such as steel, stainless steel, aluminium and special alloys are processed. Ostseestaal is active on the global market for shipbuilding, industry, renewable energies and architectural projects and supplies turnkey products worldwide. The Stralsund-based company has the expertise for the technical planning and construction of innovative and customised projects.

Facts & Figures Research vessel „Coriolis“

Image sources:
Photos: Philipp Peuß - OS
Animation: Helmhotz Centre hereon/Hitzlerwerft