Jahresbericht 2009 - Gesellschaft für Maritime Technik eV

Flottenkommando Fakten und Zahlen 2009
Some 95% of the intercontinental goods exchange takes place by ship. In the EU-27 some
90% of the goods volume in freight traffic from and to ports outside the EU is transported by
sea. Shipping companies from the EU-27 countries operate 36.5% of the total world merchant
fleet tonnage. Within the past couple of years world maritime trade has grown twice as fast as
the worldwide GDP and thus has been one of the most dynamic growth markets. In this context
sea transportation plays a central role in coping with the increase in international passenger and
freight traffic.
From an environmental point of view, shipping leaves the other traffic carrier far behind as
regards energy expenditure per ton of freight. Furthermore, shipping contributes to relieving
land-based traffic carriers. For this reason, short-haul maritime traffic and port expansion
projects are given high political priority at national and European level.
The North and the Baltic Sea (almost 3,400 km of German coastline – Baltic Sea: 2,100 km /
North Sea: 1,300 km) are among the most frequented waters in the world. In this region the Kiel
Canal is of particular economic significance. It is a particularly important international waterway
between the two seas. With 33,078 ships passing through, it is almost as heavily used as the
Panama Canal (13,147) and the Suez Canal (21,415) taken together. However, the freight volume
of 99.3 million tons transiting the Kiel Canal is of minor importance as compared to the two
large canals. Panama Canal: 209.7 million tons and Suez Canal: 723 million tons.
In the North Sea, vessel traffic between some of the major European ports such as
Rotterdam, Hamburg, Bremerhaven and Antwerp is most important. Competitiveness of the
German ports shall be considerably strengthened upon completion of the new deep water port
in Wilhelmshaven (JadeWeserPort). But also completion of the CT4 in Bremerhaven has
significantly improved the competitive conditions for this location.
The sea as a habitat and transport medium is considered an economic area with vast
perspectives and development opportunities that is to be preserved in a sustainable manner. At
the same time the use of the seas at a sustainable level must be ensured to avoid endangerment
of the seas’ natural functions and their significance as food resource. Furthermore, cooperation
of the international community will become increasingly important against the background of
the growing threat posed by piracy. In this context, sustainable concepts must be developed,
above all at the African coasts, especially in Somalia.
1.6.2 German Merchant Fleet
An adequate national merchant fleet is the basis for representing our maritime political
interests at an international level. It is the decisive prerequisite for being accepted as a seafaring
nation. Only this way can Germany effectively contribute to international maritime politics as a
maritime nation and shipping center of international significance and thus enforce new
conditions for ship security, marine protection and international market regulations for maritime
transport and fishing.
Moreover, having own transport capabilities in sufficient numbers, reduces dependence on
foreign carriers in times of crisis or conflict. For the sectors of shipbuilding and marine
technology, the German merchant fleet and even more so the German Navy rely on a powerful,
innovative local maritime industry that is also internationally competitive and able to cooperate.
To this end, adequate industrial capacities and technological know-how must be maintained and
adapted to any developments, if required.
The increase in world trade and the extension of German trade relations in international
merchandise traffic drive up demand for shipping services. In recent years the Pacific region has
increasingly gained in economic significance, mainly through the above-average growth of the
Chinese economy. This trend is particularly beneficial for German merchant shipping as it is not
only involved in Germany’s direct maritime trade with other countries but also participates in socalled
cross-trade with third states.
At least three quarters of Germany’s merchant shipping tonnage is involved in cross-trade,
which thus plays a much more significant role than the transport of goods from and to Germany.
Commercial relations between Europe and Asia via the two large German sea ports are one of
the greatest trade routes of all, which becomes particularly obvious when looking at the increase
in transport capacity.
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