About DMI

Vision

Germany plays a central role in the global economy and at the same time bears a crucial maritime responsibility. The DMI's vision is a broadly informed and committed society that recognises the importance of the maritime sector for our prosperity and security.

News from the DMI

Marine, politics, science and business

Forum for discussion and exchange of ideas on maritime issues

The German Maritime Institute (DMI) analyses maritime events and developments that have an impact on policy and strategy. Germany is one of the world's leading nations in industry, exports and logistics. Prosperity and jobs throughout the country depend on this. It is important to emphasise the ties that result from Germany's dependence on the sea and its trade routes. Germany's economic strength is a prerequisite for it to be able to fulfil its role as a leading nation and crisis manager in Europe. It is not at the expense of other nations, but is based on global exchange for mutual benefit.

The German economy imports the majority of the raw materials it needs by sea and exports its globally sought-after "Made in Germany" products in the same way. 60 per cent of our foreign trade goes this way. Container gantry cranes in the harbour have long since replaced smoking chimneys as the background image for business news in the press and on television. They symbolise the importance of the maritime sector for global trade and a flourishing economy.

However, this does not mean that businesses and citizens have internalised the opportunities and risks arising from the use of the sea. For example, the general public is hardly aware that transport via waterways, whether inland or between continents, protects the environment and relieves road congestion. At the same time, public awareness of the dangers at sea is only sporadic. When pirates attack a ship, for example, there is a brief, often lurid echo in the press, which soon dies down again without the context and consequences being explained in more detail.

Risks and opportunities can be translated into cost increases or savings, into competitive obstacles or advantages. This affects the entire economy, not just shipping and the coast. Every German job - and therefore our prosperity - is directly or indirectly linked to the sea and sea routes.

"The DMI is currently supported by around 200 members ..."

Founded in 1973 as the German Marine Institute, the DMI has been representing maritime issues in the public arena for almost 50 years. Since then, the focus of its work has shifted from defence at sea to general issues of maritime security in times of globalisation.

The Institute, a non-profit registered association based in Wilhelmshaven, is an association of personal and supporting members. It is supported by personalities from politics, science, business and the navy who are interested in maritime issues beyond their specialist tasks and want to help shape them. The DMI is currently supported by around 200 members who contribute their expertise to the institute in the fields of maritime security, the German Navy, global maritime logistics, shipping, shipbuilding, maritime law, naval forces and other maritime topics.

President, DMI
Karsten Schneider, Rear Admiral (ret.)

"The DMI has set itself the task of promoting awareness of matitime connections."

The DMI has set itself the task of promoting awareness of maritime issues. To this end, a large number of initiatives have been launched in recent decades. The DMI was the initiator and active promoter of the first internet portal for the maritime sector, the "German Maritime Competence Network (DMKN)" and operator of the German-language blog "Meer verstehen". It is a founder and member of the steering committee of the Maritime Capital Forum (MHF), a joint event platform of maritime associations and institutions that promote dialogue between experts, interested parties and stakeholders in Berlin. Last but not least, the DMI is the publisher of the specialist journal "marineforum" and numerous scientific publications.

The DMI has extensive experience as an organiser of maritime seminars and conferences, with which it addresses politicians, the press and the public. It also represents maritime topics with its experts at specialised seminars and workshops. It organises several conference series for German-speaking countries, including the "Maritime Convention" in cooperation with "griephan Briefe", which is aimed at political decision-makers every year in Berlin.

Chairman of the Board of Directors, DMI
Sascha Helge Rackwitz, Flotilla Admiral

DMI Presidium

The Presidium is a body of personalities who are responsible for contributing to the achievement of the Institute's objectives in an overarching manner through guidelines and recommendations. The Presidium consists of a President, a Vice-President, the Chairmen of the Naval Officers' Association, the German Maritime Institute and up to 6 other members of the Executive Committee.

Vice President
Dr Sarah Kirchberger

DMI Board of Directors

The full Board of Directors is responsible for the organisational and administrative management of the Institute. It is responsible for the organisation and implementation of all measures necessary to achieve the statutory objectives of the Institute. It appoints the President of the German Maritime Institute directly.

The entire Board of Directors is elected by the Annual General Meeting for a term of office of at least one year. The current term of office is 2 years.

Deputy Chairman
Rear Admiral (ret.)
Thorsten Kähler

Assessor
Retired frigate captain
Lutz Adam

Assessor 
Lieutenant Captain d.R.
Ulf Jensen 

Assessor
Retired staff captain lieutenant
Werner Schiebert 

DMI Managing Director

Membership, statutes and contact

The intellectual and spiritual work of the German Maritime Institute is supported by its members, who can be natural persons, groups of persons or legal entities and are invited to become members by the Board of Directors. Since 1973, personalities from the ranks of naval officers, science, politics, business and industry have come together, all of whom have undertaken to either provide practical support for the projects of the German Maritime Institute, to contribute to specialist scientific studies on maritime topics or to donate the necessary funds or organise donations.

The Annual General Meeting decides on the annual, business and financial reports as well as on the discharge, election and motions of the Executive Board.

Articles of Association

DEUTSCHES MARITIMES INSTITUT e.V. (DMI)

Jadeallee 102, 26382 Wilhelmshaven
Tel. (04421) 50047-20
e-mail [email protected]

Entry in the register of associations at Oldenburg Local Court under the number VR 202315

Articles of Association DMI_ 2024 Status 19.04.2024