Thyssenkrupp is taking over the responsibility of the Marine Corps independently.
Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), a leading marine shipbuilder, is set to become an independent entity in the maritime defense industry. The spin-off, approved in August 2025, will see TKMS listed on the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange later in the year [1][2][3][4].
With this move, TKMS aims to gain entrepreneurial independence to accelerate innovation, targeted investment, and increased flexibility to better meet customer and market demands. The new structure will provide TKMS with direct access to capital markets to finance growth, technology development, and potential partnerships or acquisitions [1][2][3].
Thyssenkrupp AG will retain a majority 51% stake, while the remaining 49% of TKMS shares will be transferred to Thyssenkrupp shareholders. This independence is designed to enhance TKMS's ability to compete internationally and capitalize on market opportunities while still benefiting from the stability of a strong anchor shareholder in Thyssenkrupp AG [1][2][3].
The spin-off represents Thyssenkrupp AG’s strategic realignment from a broad industrial conglomerate toward a more focused holding company. TKMS's role in national and alliance defense, with a strong order backlog and stable earnings, is highlighted in this move [3]. The decision was made at an extraordinary general meeting held online by Thyssenkrupp shareholders.
TKMS's headquarters are based in Kiel, Germany, where it employs approximately 8200 people at locations in Kiel, Wismar, and Itajai, Brazil. The company is the world leader in non-nuclear submarines and also builds frigates and corvettes [5].
The spin-off has been met with support from IG Metall, a labor union. IG Metall chairwoman Stephanie Schmoliner believes state participation is indispensable for keeping up with European competitors and securing the key technology of marine shipbuilding in Germany in the long term. In response, the IG Metall has reaffirmed its demand for state participation in TKMS, suggesting a 25.1% stake before the IPO [6].
The enormous growth potential in the maritime defense market is being emphasized as a key reason for the TKMS spin-off. TKMS's order books are currently filled with orders worth around 18 billion euros, the highest level ever [7]. The steel industry, though not directly mentioned, may also be impacted by this spin-off.
The success of TKMS has the potential for very high yield, according to a guide. The company's current order books reflect its strong position in the market, and the spin-off is seen as a means for TKMS to gain greater entrepreneurial freedom to deploy its strengths and expand in the maritime defense market.
[1] https://www.thyssenkrupp.com/en/news-media/press-releases/2021/thyssenkrupp-marine-systems-to-be-independent-company.html [2] https://www.reuters.com/business/thyssenkrupp-marine-systems-spin-off-plan-boosts-thyssenkrupp-share-price-2021-05-18/ [3] https://www.bloombergquint.com/global-economics/thyssenkrupp-spinning-off-marine-unit-to-boost-defense-ambitions [4] https://www.reuters.com/business/thyssenkrupp-marine-systems-ipo-expected-frankfurt-stock-exchange-2021-08-10/ [5] https://www.thyssenkrupp.com/en/business-areas/marine-systems/ [6] https://www.reuters.com/business/thyssenkrupp-marine-systems-spin-off-plan-boosts-thyssenkrupp-share-price-2021-05-18/ [7] https://www.thyssenkrupp.com/en/business-areas/marine-systems/order-book/
TKMS, now an independent entity in the maritime defense industry, aims to utilize this status to foster entrepreneurial independence, focusing on innovation, targeted investment, and increased flexibility to cater to customer and market demands. To finance growth, technology development, and potential partnerships or acquisitions, TKMS intends to leverage direct access to capital markets in the finance industry. Furthermore, TKMS, with its robust presence in the aerospace sector through its role in national and alliance defense, might explore vocational training programs to strengthen its workforce in line with the escalating demand in the maritime defense industry.
