Course, straight ahead into the Future

Germany as a Location for Shipping

Shipping unite people and markets. Without shipping global and transnational shipment of goods would simply not be possible. And as for Germany's status as an “export world champion” – it wouldn't be the case without shipping, that's for sure!

The “networking of the world” – i.e. globalisation and liberalisation of the markets – always has been and remains the growth engine for shipping as an international operating economic sector. After all, more than 95 % of intercontinental trade goes by sea, so it is only fair to point out that globalisation has contributed to this success.

The previous persistent boom of world economy led to the distinct growth of world sea trade and the high demand for ship storage, and the maritime economy turned into a dynamic growth market – with all its possibilities and all its risks. Consequently the industry is now feeling the blow. The slowdown of world trade was delayed in coming, but has now hit shipping – to a, so far, rather unprecedented degree.

What goes down, will come up

At the same time, it is exactly the international network which provides the chance of securing the global system together, to maintain, to revise and to stabilise it. Shipping is used to cyclical economic variations, they have kept occurring throughout the centuries: the recession we are experiencing currently, is the 22nd since 1741 – and as ever, this time too, we will weather the storm and live to see economic boom number 23.

Take for instance German merchant shipping. With its fleet of over 3,000 vessels it has the world's second largest fleet by international comparison – and it's definitely got what it takes! In fact, the entire German maritime economy has all the necessary requirements to survive in an international market. Important aspects are research, development and innovation, training the second generation of staff, as well as having a leading role in climate and environmental protection. The range of ecologically friendly innovations is wide and ranges from solutions for the cleansing of ballast water, the improved design for the ships' hulls, total recyclable newbuildings, efficient drive systems all the way to finding solutions for improved energy management. Demand for energy saving, sustainable and environmentally friendly technical development will carry on increasing. Energy efficiency remains a crucial area of development, not only for Germany.

From global to regional roots

Shipping has always had great economical importance for Bremen and continues to do so – for Bremen both as an economical – and as a maritime location. One proof of this fact is the remarkable commitment and dedication Bremen's shipowners and other maritime institutions apply to maintaining the quality of Bremen as a shipping location. Their various efforts range from political activity so as to improve conditions and parameters for shipping in Bremen all the way to an excellent qualification of the future maritime generation. In this edition of OnBoard there will be detailed information on their various and dedicated programmes, activities and initiatives.

Located as it is on the Weser River, Bremen is ideal for trading. Trading and nationwide exchange of goods have always had a strong influence on Bremen and so Bremen has grown over centuries into a location for maritime transport and cargo handling.

The second largest German universal port, consisting of Bremen and particularly Bremerhaven, is one of Europe's most important maritime locations. Towards the end of 2008, Bremerhaven had a turnover of over 5.5 million TEU which made it one of the largest container ports of the European Continent. What will most certainly also have had its bearing on the performance of the docks, is the new CT (Container terminal) 4. Bremerhaven now has the longest “riverside quay” in the world, with a total length of about 5 km. Furthermore, there are plans for the construction of a new large lock, the so called “Kaiserschleuse”, completion of which is scheduled for the end of 2010. Over 370 vessels with about 5.5 million gt are currently being managed from the ports of Bremen and Bremerhaven. Bremen’s ship owners have commissioned a further 130. They also provide nearly 1,000 jobs ashore and a further 8,000 aboard their vessels.

Maritime economy is an innovative, sustainable industrial sector with immense macroeconomic importance. Its long-term prospects for growth and the creation of new jobs are good – not only for Bremen, but for Germany as a location for shipping as a whole. The willingness to take on responsibilities, equally, has always been an indispensable characteristic for the success of shipping. The economic crisis now will lead us into new, strange and unfathomable waters we will have to cross, but as always: When a storm is raging over the waters, the captain and the ship's mate must keep a firm course.

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