DVF on the Upcoming Maritime Debate in the German Bundestag

Tomorrow, Thursday, the German Bundestag will discuss several proposals on maritime policy. In advance, the Managing Director of the German Transport Forum DVF, Dr. Heike van Hoorn, stated: ‘The federal government has outlined key areas in its report on the maritime economy. Fair competitive conditions, innovation, climate protection, and digitalization are success factors for the port and shipping location Germany.’

(Berlin) It is also important that the federal government expands the transport infrastructure for the ports, the seaward access routes, connections for rail freight transport, and waterways effectively. The progress made in funding these areas must not be reversed. The acceleration of planning and construction remains a topic that we need to continue working on in Germany.

Recommendations from the DVF for the upcoming legislative period in the maritime sector:

• Promote the transition of shipping to low-emission and emission-free drives as well as climate neutrality of the ports.
• Transform the ports into strategic locations for the hydrogen economy.
• Support digitalization and automation in the ports and shipping. Continue IHATEC. Digitally enhance the waterways infrastructure.
• Accelerate the expansion of seaward access routes and hinterland connections of the ports.
• Legally anchor a guarantee mandate of the federal government for the waterways infrastructure and establish a reliable long-term financing plan.
• Consistently implement the expansion of the planning capacity of the WSV. Ensure collaborative construction with improved interfaces between the public sector and companies.
• Strengthen Germany’s port and shipping location in international competition. Ensure fair competitive conditions.
• Switch the import sales tax to the billing model.

Photo: © DVF (HHLA / Thies Raetzke)