Well-known German investor Lars Windhorst has taken 76 per cent ownership of Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft from its Norwegian parent SIEM Europe. 

Last week TT-Line announced the contracted builder of the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels was in a "difficult financial situation" and that the company was in discussion with alternative shipbuilders in the case the German shipbuilder could not fulfill its contract. 

It appears this new investment will guarantee the FSG builds the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels, however TT-Line were contacted and are yet to comment on any impact of this investment on the Spirit build contract. 

The acquisition by Mr Windhorst's London and Berlin based company Sapinda Holdings B.V. has injected 33 million euros of new equity into the shipyard. 

SIEM Europe has also converted 10 million euros of outstanding debts in FSG into equity to allow the shipyard additional liquidity and a more solid balance sheet. 

In a statement FSG said the investment and already announced management changes will ensure the continuation of the company's business operations. 

FSG said SIEM Europe will remain an active shareholder of FSG and have a majority of the positions on the FSG board. 

In a statement SIEM Europe said they look forward to working with Sapinda to continue to develop FSG as a designer and builder of quality vessels. 

A renowned shipyard located in Flensburg, Germany, FSG is due to deliver four large passenger ferries and three cargo ferries by 2021, with the total order volume of around 1 billion euros.