BERLIN: German ports face fresh challenges: Cargo handling growth, tougher competition, stiffer demands on environmental protection and security. To enable them to master these, the German cabinet has endorsed the 2015 National Port Concept.
In doing so, the Federal government has implemented one of the points in the coalition agreement for the 18th legislative period: ‘To boost the competitiveness of German ports, we shall further develop the National Port Concept […] and eliminate bottlenecks in the land and sea links of German seaports and inland ports of international significance.’
Commits central government, federal states and industry
The result is a new strategic guideline for port policy of the next ten years, giving all those involved a reliable basis for political and commercial action.
Reflecting the preceding 2009 concept, the 2015 National Port Concept identifies future challenges for Germany’s seaports and inland ports, setting out measures for overcoming these.
With a total of 155 separate measures, the concept obliges central government, the states, business and employee bodies to an equal extent to pursue the following goals, to:
- expand port-related infrastructures as required,
- boost competitiveness of the ports,
- protect the environment and climate,
- provide high-quality vocational training and employment, and
- guarantee appropriate security and hazard prevention.
Transport ministry to coordinate implementation
The ultimate decision-making body on implementation of the 2015 National Port Concept is a steering group headed by the responsible Under-Secretary of State at the Federal Ministry for Transport and Digital Infrastructure.
Membership of the steering group consists of an under-secretary or representative of inland states as well as states on the North Sea and the Baltic. The chairmen of the most important port, logistics and trade associations are also represented on the group.
The previous Steering Committee is disbanded. Instead, topic-related ad hoc working groups will meet as required. Department WS 21 of the German Ministry of Transport will remain the central coordination point.
