Yachting Art Magazine

The Scandinavian manufacturer of aluminium patrol boats is bearing the brunt of industrial and contractual difficulties linked to a major contract for patrol boats intended for the Norwegian police.

The Swedish shipyard Marell Boats, which specialises in aluminium high-speed boats for both commercial and private use, was officially declared bankrupt by the Stockholm District Court on 25 May. This decision comes after several years of financial strain and technical difficulties encountered in connection with a strategic contract for the delivery of six Marell M-12 patrol boats to the Norwegian police.

The insolvency administrator, Jakob Callmander, of the law firm Advokatfirman Fylgia, has been appointed to oversee the liquidation proceedings. According to initial reports in the specialist Scandinavian press, discussions are already underway to assess the possibilities for a partial takeover of the shipyard’s operations and industrial assets.

A recognised player in the professional high-speed boat sector

Founded in Sweden, Marell Boats had gradually established itself in recent years as a recognised manufacturer in the segment of aluminium high-speed boats intended for both recreational boaters and public authorities. The shipyard had notably developed particular expertise in high-speed vessels for police forces, coastguards, emergency services and government agencies.

The company had also distinguished itself through its technological positioning and its commitment to investing

in more sustainable propulsion solutions. In 2022, Marell Boats had therefore entered into a partnership with Volvo Penta and the operator Hurtigruten Svalbard to develop a hybrid-electric exploration vessel for tourism activities in the Svalbard archipelago.

This pilot project, carried out in particularly demanding Arctic conditions, was based on a Marell M-15 named Kvitbjørn (“polar bear”), equipped with a Volvo Penta hybrid propulsion system combining combustion engines and electric assistance. The aim was to test the capabilities of maritime electromobility in extreme environments.

The Norwegian contract: a turning point for Marell Boats

In the same year, Marell Boats secured a major contract with the Norwegian police, via the agency Politiets Fellestjenester (PFT), for the delivery of six new high-speed patrol boats. Valued at around 70 million Norwegian kroner (approximately 6 million euros), this contract represented a significant milestone in the Swedish shipyard’s development.

The vessels delivered, Marell M-12s powered by two Mercury Verado 600 V12 outboard engines, however, soon encountered a series of technical issues that severely disrupted their operational use.

According to several Norwegian media outlets, inspections carried out by an independent certification body reportedly revealed significant faults affecting, in particular, the fuel systems, electrical installations and certain on-board electronic equipment. Problems with water ingress and fuel vapour leaks were also reportedly observed.

These malfunctions led to repeated groundings of the patrol boats and the implementation of numerous corrective measures.

A gradual deterioration in the financial situation

The scale of the technical difficulties gradually undermined the manufacturer’s financial position. In 2025, Marell Boats reportedly reached an agreement with the Norwegian police to repurchase two of the six vessels delivered. These have since been replaced by Goldfish X12 patrol boats built in Norway.

At the same time, signs of financial strain have multiplied. Several credit assessments carried out in Sweden in the autumn of 2025 reported a growing number of payment incidents and debts registered in the company’s name.

Against a backdrop of a slowdown in certain professional marine markets, rising industrial costs and increasing pressure on supply chains, the difficulties encountered with the Norwegian contract appear to have accelerated the deterioration of the shipyard’s situation.

An illustration of the vulnerabilities of small European shipyards

The bankruptcy of Marell Boats illustrates more broadly the pressures faced by several players in the professional and quasi-public marine sector in Northern Europe. Whilst demand remains strong in certain segments linked to maritime safety, coastal surveillance or the energy transition, the technical, regulatory and financial requirements associated with these markets are proving increasingly demanding.

For specialist mid-sized builders, managing complex institutional contracts can quickly become a vulnerability when technical problems arise or warranty and maintenance costs rise sharply.

The proceedings now underway regarding Marell Boats will determine whether certain industrial activities, technologies or models developed by the shipyard can be taken over by other players in the Scandinavian sector.