Exciting times lie ahead for the branch as a whole, said Chancellor Angela Merkel at the 11th National Maritime Conference – but the opportunities outweigh the challenges.

Angela Merkel pointed out that Germany has one of the world’s largest merchant navies. And German industry throughout the country benefits from strong ports and their hinterland connections.

About 60% of Germany’s exports and a large percentage of its raw materials imports are transported by sea or water. In the course of globalisation, as world trade increases, overseas trade will continue to expand.

Maritime Germany - global.smart.green

Chancellor Angela Merkel called on the decision-makers from the realms of politics, business and civil society who had gathered on the banks of Lake Constance for the conference, to support the fight against climate change.

In order to reduce the CO2 emissions caused by shipping, fuels must be developed on the basis of renewable technologies along with alternative engine technology, including fuel cells.

This year’s National Maritime Conference is taking place on 22 and 23 May, with the motto "Maritime Germany - global.smart.green". It is looking at the major challenges currently facing the maritime sector: globalisation, digitalisation and sustainability.

Since 2000 the German government has staged the National Maritime Conference every two years. Under the patronage of the Chancellor, the conference is the main government event to strengthen Germany’s maritime sector.

Status of the maritime economy

The maritime economy plays a key part in underpinning Germany’s competitiveness as a location for industry, as well as ensuring growth and employment.

It is estimated that the sector has an annual turnover of up to 50 billion euros. Up to 400,000 jobs depend directly or indirectly on the maritime sector, making it one of the most important branches of Germany’s economy.

The contribution of the German government

The German government aims to ensure that Germany’s maritime sector is structurally strong and that it is able to develop its potential worldwide.

The government’s Maritime Agenda recognises the macroeconomic importance of the branch. The coalition agreement expressly states its intention of realising the goals laid out in this agenda.

The main fields of action laid out in the Maritime Agenda 2025 include enhancing sustainability in shipping and stepping up the contribution made by maritime technology to ushering in the energy shift, and thus put Germany’s energy mix on a more sustainable basis.