Look Who it Was Random video

Made in Germany | In search of fresh cargo

594 views · Published 15 April 2009 · 5:13 · Indexed 20 September 2026

Channel: DW News · 2009 · News & Politics

Watch on YouTube

Trade in junk was once a booming business all over the world - but the boom is over. The economic crisis is causing factories to drop off production - the steel industry is seeing up to 50% cuts in output. The result: the price for scrap metal has plummeted and those who earn their living from it are being hit hard.Thiebes is a craggy skipper who's been plying his trade along the Mosel for decades. With his family aboard the MS Luma,they transport scrap between Germany and France. Business was once good in his much loved trade - but now,the ship is more often found at anchor in Trier. How has the downturn affected the skipper? Can he adjustment? What does the Scrap Crisis mean to his family? Paula Henfling visited Thiebes aboard his ship.
___________________________________
Skipper Klaus Peter Thiebes' motto is 'always keep your nose toward the wind.' His boat,the Luma is in port in Trier at the moment. It's a family-owned business. Now,Thiebes' sons,the fifth generation,are joining the firm as well. On board,Thiebes is both the head of the family and the company. He explaines: 

 One son is a cabin boy,an apprentice sailor. You can't tell him anything. The other one thinks he's a tough guy. But those are the least of his problems. Thiebes' biggest concern is scrap metal business. That's the cargo the barge operators transport most often. Some 2000 tons destined for a French steelworks are being loaded onto the Luma at the moment.

More from this channel