VDR proposes a plan to safeguard Germany's trading fleet and enhance youth employment amid global trade tensions.
The German Shipowners' Association (VDR) has presented a groundbreaking proposal aimed at protecting the national trading fleet and increasing youth employment during a period of heightened geopolitical risks on global trade routes. Speaking at the annual event held in Hamburg, VDR management called for maritime service in the trading fleet to be an option under voluntary military service and to be considered a civilian alternative should Germany reinstate mandatory military service in the future. VDR President Gaby Bornheim emphasized how tensions with Iran and regional conflicts have made global supply chains increasingly fragile, stating that for a country like Germany, which conducts two-thirds of its foreign trade via sea, the protection of commercial vessels is a strategic priority.
A recent report published by VDR reveals that interest in the maritime profession has reached its highest level in the last decade. Since 2023, the number of new personnel joining the sector has risen by approximately 30%, increasing from 418 to 537, marking the highest level recorded since 2012. This increase is said to encompass not only seafarers but also specialized fields such as marine engineering and technical officer roles. VDR General Manager Martin Kröger stated that there is a long-term need for a broader national workforce and argued for the establishment of a trained civilian maritime reserve to ensure the continuity of logistics flow by sea during potential crisis situations.
Germany currently possesses the seventh largest trading fleet in the world, with 1,716 vessels and a capacity of 46.7 million gross tons. In container shipping, it ranks second globally, surpassing China with 30.4 million gross tons, following Switzerland-based MSC. Germany's proposal for this 'civilian alternative' also stands out as it differentiates itself from the solutions sought by other countries. While the Australian government is working on a national fleet program supported by the government, it is known that the Trump administration in the United States has introduced protectionist measures such as taxes on foreign vessels and the transportation of American goods by domestic ships. Japan, on the other hand, is seeking solutions by investing in autonomous ship technologies in response to its declining seafarer population.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
