Matthias Krause and Michael Hübler followed similar career paths before crossing paths at CMT (Center of Maritime Technologies), a non-profit organisation from the German Shipbuilding and Ocean Industries Association (VSM). CMT is dedicated to innovation and applied research in the maritime industry. Both mechanical engineers, they began their careers in shipbuilding, developing expertise in industrial process optimization and digital simulation.
Two engineers, one passion for maritime innovation
After graduating from Hannover University, Matthias Krause (photo, left) first joined Meyer Werft, where he worked on improving shipyard efficiency using simulation tools. His mission? To anticipate scenarios and enhance decision-making in shipbuilding. Initially, economic efficiency was the main driver of these innovations. Still, over time, environmental concerns gained importance, particularly through the development of lightweight structures that help reduce ships’ environmental footprint.
In 2003, Matthias joined CMT, leveraging his expertise to benefit the entire German maritime industry. Lightweight construction and sustainability became priorities, reshaping traditional approaches to shipbuilding.
Meanwhile, Michael Hübler (photo, right), who studied at Rostock University, started his career as a turner at a shipyard, machining components for propulsion systems. This hands-on experience led him to deepen his scientific understanding of shipbuilding. His time at Meyer Werft was a turning point: He developed innovative simulation tools to improve shipyard planning. He then pursued research at Hamburg University of Technology before joining CMT, where he specializes in digitising industrial processes and environmental challenges.
A lifelong connection to the maritime industry
Neither Matthias nor Michael had initially planned for a career in the maritime sector, but the ocean was already part of their stories. Matthias Krause was born in Lübeck, a port city where ships were a daily sight. Michael Hübler grew up near the Baltic Sea, an environment that deeply influenced him. His uncle, a turner at a shipyard, inspired his passion for large ship mechanics. After a brief experience in the automotive industry, where he worked on innovative assembly techniques, he realized that he needed to be close to the water to thrive truly.
CMT: innovating for the future of shipbuilding
Today, Matthias and Michael play a key role at CMT. Their mission? Bridging the gap between scientific research and industry needs by identifying the sector’s most pressing challenges and developing nationally and EU-funded projects to address them. Collaboration and networking are at the heart of their work. Working with shipyards, research institutes, and industrial partners worldwide connects maritime stakeholders to accelerate technological innovation. “Bringing together the right expertise and sharing knowledge between shipyards is essential to solving tomorrow’s challenges,” explains Matthias.
The shift towards a more sustainable maritime industry
Over the past ten years, innovation in shipbuilding has undergone a major transformation. Previously focused on economic and operational performance, it has now expanded to include environmental and social considerations.
“The industry is moving toward a more holistic approach, which no longer focuses solely on the operational phase of ships but considers their entire lifecycle,” explains Michael.
The European Union plays a crucial role in supporting the industry’s environmental transition, but competition from Asian shipyards remains a major challenge. For Matthias and Michael, Europe must capitalize on innovation and environmental excellence to stay competitive. The CirclesOfLife project embodies this ambition by integrating tools such as the SEPI (Shipyard Environmental Performance Index) and the Ship Lifecycle Passport, which provide better environmental performance measurement and improvement for shipyards.
WP3: from concept to practical application
In CirclesOfLife, Matthias and Michael lead Work Package 3 (WP3), which aims to test and apply innovations directly within shipyards. Their approach goes beyond theoretical models, focusing on experimentation and real-world impact assessment.
Each test is conducted with partner shipyards and provides valuable feedback to optimize the developed tools. The ultimate goal is to create a Best Practices Guide, applicable across the entire shipbuilding sector.
“Sharing knowledge is essential,” insists Matthias. “We want to provide shipyards with concrete tools, validated through experimentation.”
Ensuring a lasting impact
To maximise the dissemination of results, CMT focuses on communication and networking with Work Package 5 of CirclesOfLife, in which Matthias and Michael are also involved. Events, working groups, and interactive tools are key strategies to encourage industry adoption of these innovations.
Another major concern is data security for shipyards. “A shipyard can use its own data without sharing it with others,” explains Michael. “We need to guarantee secure data management and encourage participation.”
As sustainability becomes a major commercial advantage, these tools could enable shipyards to obtain environmental labels and position themselves as leaders in green shipbuilding.
A collaborative future for the maritime industry
For Matthias and Michael, the future of shipbuilding depends on collective and transparent collaboration. Europe is not alone in this shift – North America is following a similar path with the Green Marine initiative, which seeks to apply sustainability principles to the shipbuilding industry. “By joining forces with other regions, we can accelerate the transformation of the maritime industry,” concludes Matthias.
With their expertise and commitment, Matthias Krause and Michael Hübler are key figures in maritime innovation. They help shape an industry that is more sustainable, connected, and future-focused.
