• Dr. Georg Witschel participated in a roundtable promoted on February 14 in Itajaí with executives from thyssenkrupp, Embraer, Oceana and local business entities

The German Ambassador to Brazil, Dr. Georg Witschel, visited on Thursday (14/02) the facilities of the Oceana Shipyard, located in Itajaí (SC). Accompanied by the Defense Industry Attaché of the Embassy, Patrick Stotz, and the General Consul of Germany in Porto Alegre, Dr. Thomas Schmitt, he participated in a roundtable promoted by the Águas Azuis Consortium, which presented the proposal of the consortium for the CCT (Tamandaré Corvettes Class) Program of the Brazilian Navy.

Present at the meeting were Joachim Schoenfeld, Head of Regional Sales at thyssenkrupp Marine Systems; Johan Paul Kempers and Marcelo Martins, respectively, executive director and technical director of Oceana Shipyard; Rafael Gustavo Fassina Marques, business development manager of Embraer Defense & Security; Cesar Augusto Olsen, president of COMDEFESA - Santa Catarina Defense Industry Committee; Fabricia Lemser Martins, legal director of FIESC - Federation of Industries of the State of Santa Catarina; Rafael Digo Theiss and Leonardo Campos Freitas, respectively, president and union executive of Sinconavin - Union of Naval Construction Industries of Itajaí and Navegantes; and Úrsula Boing Tuma, executive manager of ABIMAQ Joinville - The Brazilian Machinery Builders’ Association.

One of the most modern shipyards in Brazil, Oceana will act as the ship builder in case the Águas Azuis Consortium wins the competition for the CCT program of the Brazilian Navy. "The Oceana Shipyard is a reference in shipbuilding. It has already built several vessels with the latest technology, and its know-how and specialized professionals guarantee high productivity and high-quality standards”, said Joachim Schoenfeld, from thyssenkrupp Marine Systems.

thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, Embraer Defense & Security and Oceana are working together to promote the sharing of engineering and shipbuilding expertise and know-how, fostering synergy between professionals in Germany and Brazil. This is already a preparation for a ToT process between the two countries, a fundamental requirement in the construction of the Tamandaré Class corvettes.

Schoenfeld adds that Oceana has the capacity to build naval vessels for any type of application and market. "Our relationship with the shipyard is so solid and transparent that it enables us, since now, to organize the ToT processes so they can be started if we are the winners of the bid”.

"Entering the select group of shipyards capable of building and delivering defense vessels is a challenge we are excited to face. With partners of the size and quality of companies such as thyssenkrupp and Embraer, and with the team we have managed to develop, we have great confidence in the success of this project. It is also a great encouragement for all of the Oceana’s team to know that success in this project could bring new contracts to the Brazilian Navy in the near future for our shipyard, our city and our state", told Oceana Shipyard’s executive director, Johan Paul Kempers.

Aliança and Oceana shipyards, CBO group’s companies, have more than 20 years’ experience in shipbuilding. The first one is located in Niterói (RJ), the company’s headquarters, and Oceana is located in Itajaí (SC), a region with a strong vocation for shipbuilding, and supported by an expressive industrial park in the state of Santa Catarina. With approximately 310,000 square meters, Oceana has the capacity to build several vessels per year, applying the latest shipbuilding processes in state-of-the-art technology facilities.

The Águas Azuis Consortium presented to the Brazilian Navy a proposal based on the concept of the MEKO® class, a world reference through proven solutions in shipbuilding. Its modular design facilitates local integration and ToT, helping to reduce procurement, maintenance and modernization costs.

Formed by thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and Embraer Defesa & Segurança, the Águas Azuis Consortium is a solid national partnership with proven ability to absorb technology and ensure its development, not only for the CCT Program, but also for future strategic defense projects in Brazil.

Atech, a subsidiary of Embraer, will provide the ships' Combat Management System (CMS) in close cooperation with Atlas Elektronik, a subsidiary of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. Atlas Elektronik engineering and software are expected to support and develop local engineering, equipment, system integration and project management by Atech.

thyssenkrupp has been doing business in Brazil for over 180 years and Embraer is celebrating its 50-year anniversary.

More information on www.consorcioaguasazuis.com.

About thyssenkrupp Marine Systems

thyssenkrupp Marine Systems is one of the world's leading suppliers of systems for naval surface and submarine vessels as well as maritime safety technologies. With nearly 5,500 employees worldwide, the company offers expertise, innovative technologies and a comprehensive and reliable service. With its submarine divisions, surface vessels, marine systems and electronic services, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems is part of the thyssenkrupp group.

About Atlas Elektronik

Atlas Elektronik Group offers marine and naval solutions for surface and underwater navigation. The company occupies a leading position in all fields of maritime high technology, which includes command and control systems, radio and communication systems for submarines and surface ships, mine systems to heavy torpedoes, coastal surveillance systems and support services. Atlas has established a worldwide portfolio of customers. Specialist in electronics, it is a company of thyssenkrupp and has a workforce of about 2,200 highly qualified employees.

About thyssenkrupp

Thyssenkrupp is a diversified industrial company with a long tradition in the materials market and growing participation in the capital goods and services sector. Always aiming a sustainable progress, the company has more than 161,000 employees in 78 countries who work with passion and technological experience in the development of high-quality products as well as in intelligent processes and services for the industry. Competence and commitment are the foundation of our success. In fiscal year 2017/2018, thyssenkrupp achieved a global turnover of approximately 42.7 billion euros. Developing business in Brazil since 1837, thyssenkrupp employs more than 8,000 people in all regions of the country in the automotive, energy, infrastructure, mining, cement, civil construction, chemical, petrochemical and defense segments.

About Embraer Defesa & Segurança

Embraer Defesa & Segurança is a leader in the aerospace and defense industry in Latin America. In addition to the A-29 Super Tucano light-attack and advanced training aircraft, and KC-390, multi-mission military transport, it offers a complete line of integrated Command and Control (C4I) solutions, radar, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Recognition) and space. This includes integrated border information, communication, monitoring and surveillance systems, as well as aircraft for the transportation of authorities and special missions. With growing presence in the global market, Embraer Defesa & Segurança products and solutions are present in more than 60 countries.

About Atech

Recognized as a Brazilian "System House", Atech has always been guided by innovation to help transform the country. With unique expertise in engineering systems and situational awareness technologies and support for decision making, Atech works to develop innovative solutions with applications in the areas of air traffic, command and control systems, cyber security, instrumentation and control systems, embedded systems, simulators and logistics. The company is responsible for the development and modernization of the entire system for the management and defense of the Brazilian airspace. Through its performance, the company is recognized and certified as Strategic Defense Company by the Brazilian Ministry of Defense.

About the CBO Group

The CBO Group focuses on maritime support navigation, including the operation of medium-sized offshore support vessels such as PSVs, Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS), Oil Spill Recovery Vessels (OSRVs) and Inspection, Maintenance and Repair Vessels (IMRs), in addition to operating two shipyards, one in the state of Rio de Janeiro and another in Santa Catarina.

The company has executives with wide experience in the industry, and with the highest principles of Safety, Environment and Health, and operational efficiency, as well as accident prevention programs - aligned with the high quality standards and processes of its controllers.

With a strong investment plan, the CBO Group seeks to be among the industry leaders, growing its fleet in number and technological content, always maintaining its commitment to the national industry.