That contract stipulation led SET to transfer aluminium ship assembly to Genthin's 76x24m shipbuilding hall and separate it from steel work in Tangermunde when the order was placed in 2001.

The decision had proved to be both 'correct and future-oriented', the yard said on completion of Loreley. Another newbuilding for police river service will be delivered this year.

Loreley is 16.5 m long, 3.9m wide and draws maximum 1.1m and displaces about 17m 3. She is propelled by two MAN diesels of Type D 2866 LE 403 each of 386kW, which provide a fast 50kms/hour via two Type MG-511 4RV gearboxes and two propellers.

SET, unlike some other German inland yards, went into 2003 with a healthy order book. Late 2002 it signed contracts for a 34.3m ferryship for delivery April, a 110m river cruise ship for delivery March 2004, a 32m ocean mapping vessel for delivery April 2004 and a contract to overhaul the floating bucket dredger Juelssand in March and April.