By Michael Sauerbier
Record prices for raw materials and energy, supply problems and the oil freeze are imminent. Brandenburg’s economy is groaning under the consequences of the Ukraine war. But state aid is not available for most companies.
The full order books were of no use. The Eberswalde crane manufacturer Kocks Ardelt (150 employees) has now had to file for bankruptcy. Because the most important raw material is missing: steel from the embattled Azovstal plant in Mariupol. The market leader for harbor cranes: a victim of the Ukraine war!
“There are massive consequences all over the country,” says Brandenburg’s Economics Minister Jörg Steinbach (65, SPD), “the war will lead to delivery failures and cost increases.” He can’t help. The minister: “Without a national emergency like Corona, we cannot take out loans for our own financial aid.”
Crane builder Ardelt in Eberswalde is missing the steel from Mariupol. The company had to file for bankruptcy Photo: Kocks Ardelt
In a letter, Steinbach asked Federal Economics Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) to do something for Brandenburg’s small and medium-sized companies. But he only plans cheap loans, federal guarantees and energy subsidies for a few large corporations. Steinbach: “We will never manage to compensate for all war damage.”
The PCK refinery in Schwedt can count on help. There Habeck announced on Monday a replacement supply for the Russian oil. In addition, compensation for losses – and federal aid for the conversion to “Refinery 2.0” for biofuel and hydrogen.
Nevertheless, the Russia friends of the AfD and Linke warned in Potsdam on Wednesday of an oil boycott against Putin’s war. Then Steinbach exploded: “1,200 people in Schwedt are worried about their jobs – and we’re still fueling their fears. That’s irresponsible,” he complained. “We don’t decide whether Russia turns off the oil tap.”
The oil reserve in Wilhelmshaven lasts 200 days. The supply via Rostock is secured. Steinbach: “We still have to do our homework for continuous operation. But we have plenty of time for that.”
