Economy needs SEA

The 12th National Maritime Conference starts today in Rostock-Warnemünde

Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania as host. Prime Minister Manela Schwesig. Photo: State Chancellery

This year's 12th National Maritime Conference (NMK) will be broadcast digitally from the port of Rostock-Warnemünde for the first time today and tomorrow. Federal Minister Altmaier explains: "The maritime industry is one of the main pillars of Germany as a business location and is of enormous importance for an export nation. The industry is currently being hit hard by coronavirus, but we also see the crisis as an opportunity. Climate protection and digitalisation are challenges, but they are also an incentive and the key to competitiveness in the future. We have already achieved a lot in the past two years: with the promotion of hydrogen, the introduction of digital test fields for efficient and environmentally friendly ports and the promotion of shore-side power systems for lower emissions and cleaner air in ports. Overall, the industry is well positioned and is often an international pioneer when it comes to innovative technologies. This must not only be maintained, but also expanded.

This time virtually: Chancellor and patron Angela Merkel speaks on 10 May at 2.00 pm

Minister of Economic Affairs Peter Altmaier and Maritime Coordinator Norbert Brackmann at the 11th NMK in Friedrichshafen 2019

In addition to Federal Chancellor Dr Angela Merkel, the 12th NMK will also welcome Federal Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer and Federal Ministers Peter Altmaier and Andreas Scheuer, the Minister President of the Federal State of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Manuela Schwesig, the Deputy Minister President and Minister for Economic Affairs, Labour and Health, Harry Glawe, the Minister for Finance, Reinhard Meyer, and the Lord Mayor of the Hanseatic and University City of Rostock, Claus Ruhe Madsen.

The motto of the conference 'Economy needs SEA' sets the pace for this." On 10 and 11 May 2021, more than 1,000 high-ranking representatives from politics, business, trade unions, science and social groups will discuss the key aspects of maritime value creation in Germany and the particular importance of research, development and innovation for European maritime technology leadership, mainly virtually. The focus will also be on measures for environmental and climate protection for a maritime energy transition. Norbert Brackmann, Federal Government Coordinator for the Maritime Industry, commented: "The industry is vigorously driving forward the maritime energy transition. The digital and ecological transformation is in full swing. We must continue to drive this forward. After all, a major future growth market for our companies lies not only in the traditional fields of the maritime industry - shipping, shipbuilding and ports - but also in the development and production of environmentally and climate-friendly maritime technologies in particular."

Vice Admiral Kay-Achim Schönbach, Inspector of the Navy, will speak on the "Maritime Security" panel

These current challenges facing the entire maritime industry will be addressed in the six specialist forums "Maritime security, marine and key technologies", "Offshore wind energy", "Shipping as a guarantor for Germany as a business location in Europe and the world", marine technology: "Sustainable use of the seas", shipbuilding: "Securing orders and employment today and for tomorrow" and "Strengthening German seaports in competition, securing good work and enabling transformation".

Detailed information on the 12th NMK is available at:

www.bmwi.de/nmk2021.

You can find the entire programme here.

Text: PM BMWI, Photos: Schlüter (2)