Brussels, 22/01/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided not to raise objections to a proposed carry-over of shipbuilding capacity between two East German shipyards. The authorisation concerns a transfer from Volkswerft Stralsund to Aker MTW Werft and is for 2003 only. This decision was made with regard to the vast restructuring programme in favour of East German shipyards made by the Commission and Council on 20 July 1992. As the aid amounts were unusually high, approval of the restructuring aid was made contingent on the beneficiaries' implementing a rigorous programme of capacity reductions. Accordingly, the German Government undertook to reduce yearly production capacity from 545.000 cgt to 327.000 cgt. It allocated the remaining capacity to five new-building yards, which include Volkswerft Stralsund and Aker MTW Werft. The two shipyards proceeded to an internal redistribution of 3900 cgt. This transfer of capacity will satisfy Aker MTW Werft's needs for additional capacity for 2003 in order to respect contractual delivery deadlines for ships in its order books. This internal does not affect respect of the overall capacity limitation for all German shipyards which remains at 327.000 cgt for this year and the Commission has therefore given the go-ahead to the operation.