Ralf Schmitz is a German restructuring specialist and Chief Restructuring Officer at Meyer Werft.
Schmitz joined the management of the Papenburg shipyard and the Meyer Group's Neptun operations in April 2024, when the business was working to secure financing and address losses linked to older cruise-ship contracts, rising construction costs and the long lead times between shipbuilding expenditure and final customer payments.
As Chief Restructuring Officer, he has helped lead the programme intended to stabilise the shipbuilder's finances, improve its operating processes and place the group on a more sustainable footing. Meyer Werft says its restructuring programme is expected to continue until the end of 2028.
Schmitz initially also held responsibility for the finance function. Melanie Freytag became Meyer Werft's Chief Financial Officer on 1 November 2025, allowing him to concentrate exclusively on the CRO role.
Since July 2026, Meyer Werft has been led by chief executive André Walter alongside Schmitz and chief operating officer Jörg Heidelberg. Schmitz also remains part of the management structure associated with Neptun Werft.
He is also associated with Ralf Schmitz CRO Management, a restructuring-management business established in cooperation with management consultancy Roland Berger to provide experienced chief restructuring officers for complex corporate assignments.
Read Deck7's related report: Meyer Werft narrows 2025 loss as cruise ship deliveries lift revenue.
Meyer Werft more than doubled revenue to €2.83 billion in 2025 and reduced its after-tax loss, helped by the deliveries of Asuka III and Disney Destiny.
No linked coverage has been published in the last 30 days.