Plizio Visual Lab

Warnowwerft Shipyard

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Industrial site

Weather…

The Warnowwerft shipyard in the Warnemünde district of Rostock has a storied history as one of Germany's most important shipbuilding sites. Founded in 1946, it evolved into the largest shipbuilding enterprise in East Germany, specializing in cargo vessels for the global market. Following German reunification, the yard underwent several privatization cycles, belonging at times to Kvaerner and later to the Genting Group under the name MV Werften. A technological highlight is the 320-meter-long, fully covered shipbuilding hall, which enables production independent of weather conditions. Since the insolvency of MV Werften in 2022, parts of the site have been utilized by the German Navy as the Warnow Naval Arsenal, while other areas are slated for the construction of converter platforms for offshore wind energy. This transformation secures Rostock's maritime industrial base and adapts it to the requirements of the energy transition.

Location: Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany
Top sights: Schnatermann · Peez · Kletterwald Hohe Düne
Nearby: Rostock (9 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	1	1	3	8	12	16	18	18	15	10	6	2
Rain mm	59	46	44	36	49	61	79	69	54	56	54	60

📋 Practical info

🏭

What is this place?

The Warnowwerft shipyard in Warnemünde is a historic shipbuilding site, now serving as a base for naval operations. It represents the maritime tradition of the Baltic coast and handles ship construction and repair.

🚪

Visiting

The shipyard grounds are typically not open to the public for security reasons. From the pier in Warnemünde, the cranes and harbour basins are clearly visible.

👀

Where to view it

The best viewpoint over Warnowwerft is the pier at the eastern end of Warnemünde beach. From there you have an unobstructed view of the massive dry docks and the ships lying there.

🧺

Local products

The shipyard itself does not produce goods available for travellers. In Warnemünde, however, there are many fish shops selling fresh Baltic fish and smoked fish.

📆

Active season

The shipyard operates year‑round, with increased activity when new ships are delivered in spring and autumn. Tourism in Warnemünde peaks in the summer months of June to August.

➕

Nearby

A visit to the shipyard pairs perfectly with a beach day in Warnemünde. A ferry trip to Denmark or a walk through the old fishing quarter is also worthwhile.

Geography

Coordinates

54.16800, 12.13400

Facts

Warnowwerft was the most productive shipyard in East Germany during the 1950s.
The dry dock measures 320 meters in length and 54 meters in width.
The yard's distinctive gantry crane can lift loads weighing up to 600 tons.
Over 1,100 ships have been built at the Warnemünde site since its inception.
The German Navy has used the site since August 2022 for fleet maintenance.
With a volume of 1.5 million cubic meters, the shipbuilding hall is one of the largest of its kind.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Warnemünde3 km · WExplore →

Rostock9 km · SExplore →

Graal-Müritz11 km · NEExplore →

Ostseebad Nienhagen12 km · WExplore →

Bad Doberan16 km · SWExplore →

Dierhagen Strand19 km · NEExplore →

Ribnitz21 km · NEExplore →

📍Ribnitz-Damgarten23 km · NEExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Start Destination Via (optional)

Overnight stops

Vehicle

Only stops with (optional): 💧 Water ♻️ Disposal 🔌 Power 🚻 Toilets 🚿 Shower

Sights in the town Warnowwerft Shipyard (4)

Schnatermann

Schnatermann is a nature reserve in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany, with distinctive flora and fauna.

Peez

Peez Unterfeuer is a lighthouse in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, serving as a leading light for shipping.

Kletterwald Hohe Düne

Kletterwald Hohe Düne gives climbing courses in the trees for various difficulty levels.

🌐 kletterwald-hohe-duene.de🕒 Apr-May: Mo-Su 10:00-15:00; Jun-Aug: Mo-Su 10:00-16:30; Sep-

Blutbuche

Blutbuche is a nature reserve known for its old tree population.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is the Marinearsenal Warnowwerft?

A major site for the maintenance of German Navy ships in Rostock-Warnemünde.

Can you visit the shipyard?

As it is a military security zone, visits by the general public are not possible.

What can you see from the outside?

From the Warnow River, you can often see naval ships and the shipyard's large cranes.

What role does the shipyard play for Rostock?

It is an important industrial anchor and secures high-skilled jobs in the region.

Are there museums nearby?

The Rostock Maritime Museum on the traditional ship type Frieden is a highlight for technology fans.

Warnowwerft Shipyard: where is it located?

Warnowwerft Shipyard is located in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Germany.

Warnowwerft Shipyard: what is there to see?

Highlights include Schnatermann, Peez, Kletterwald Hohe Düne.

Warnowwerft Shipyard: when is the best time to visit?

The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.

Warnowwerft Shipyard: why is it worth visiting?

The Warnowwerft shipyard in the Warnemünde district of Rostock has a storied history as one of Germany's most important shipbuilding sites.

View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →

Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Europe

More places in Germany →