On Sunday, 9 October, the composition of the 19th state parliament in Lower Saxony will be voted on. There is no doubt about the importance of the maritime sector in the second largest federal state in terms of area with a population of eight million. After all, nine seaports in Lower Saxony are recognised as Seaports of Niedersachsen and the access to the ports of Hamburg and Bremen along the approximately 600 kilometres of coastline. The state is currently led by a grand coalition of Social Democrats and Christian Democrats under the leadership of Minister President Stephan Weil.
How maritime is the election in Lower Saxony?
A look at the website of the Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb) helps us here. Wahl-O-Mat online tool also offers a decision-making aid for this state election. While sifting through the 38 opinion theses, we noticed the following questions, which have a maritime significance or daily political reference to security policy in the narrow or broadest sense:
Thesis #01: The A20 coastal motorway is to be built further.
Thesis #03: Lower Saxony should support the construction of terminals for liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Thesis #06: The state of Lower Saxony should endeavour to close the NATO military training area in Bergen.
Thesis #10: The Outer Ems should be deepened for shipping.
Thesis #20: Research for military purposes should continue to be permitted at the country's universities.
Thesis #36: Lower Saxony should campaign for Germany to continue supplying weapons to Ukraine.
What do the parties say?
SPD
Economy
Strong seaports from Emden to Stade and good connections are of central importance for the maritime economy. Through the construction of the JadeWeserPort in Wilhelmshaven as the only deep-water harbour in Germany and the establishment of Cuxhaven as a the German offshore base port, our federal state is already competing very well with other ports in the so-called North Range. In order to make our "Port of Lower Saxony" fit for the future, our seaports must be equipped for the current challenges. ship sizes must be achievable. That is why we are prioritising the deepening of the Lower Weser to Brake and the deepening of the Outer Ems. We will continue to support the federal government in realising these projects as quickly as possible. But also to our harbour standThere is enough to do in Emden itself: The upgrading of the sea lock and the construction of a third large ship berth in Emden, the Construction of additional berths for offshore wind transhipment in Cuxhaven and infrastructure for the landing of watercraftThe task for the coming years will be to financially secure the supply of raw materials in Wilhelmshaven. In addition, the JadeWeserPort will foreseeably need to expand the logistics zone. We have already started the necessary preparatory work. In the long term, we see We also recognise the need for a second expansion phase of the JadeWeserPort and will continue to press ahead with concrete planning.
Energy supply
The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine emphasises the need to free ourselves from dependency on the Russian energy supply.- The aim is to resolve the shortage of Russian gas supplies in particular and to accelerate the expansion of renewable energies. Renewable For us, renewable energies represent the path to a free and independent energy supply. If, in addition to climate protection per se still needed an argument in favour of a domestic, independent and clean energy supply from renewables, then that is this war. The world has been a different place ever since! We will not make the mistake of prioritising climate protection and the restructuring of our energy supply over the short-term. measures in the course of the war in Ukraine. That would be short-sighted and, not least, would be detrimental to future generations. irresponsible towards others. We are now at a point where we need to create new facts in terms of energy policy.
To do this, we need three things in particular centralised decisions:
1. We need to expand renewable energies even faster. They provide reliable, cost-effective and clean energy. Energy.
This is also a message to those who are sceptical about the expansion projects on site: The expansion of the
Renewables give us freedom and independence from attempts at energy policy blackmail.
2. In the short term, we must ensure that our strategic coal and gas reserves are sufficient. The caverns-
storage facilities are part of a critical supply infrastructure. The proposals put forward by the Social Democrat-led federal government-
The new legal requirements for filling natural gas storage facilities are therefore correct.
3. We need to create the necessary infrastructure for importing liquid gas in the short term - only as a transitional solution for fossil fuels.
gas in order to then quickly switch to the supply of green, climate-neutral gas. This is not only technically possible, the
is already part of the concepts for terminals in Stade and Wilhelmshaven. With the commitment to building an infrastructure for
the import of liquefied natural gas and climate-neutral gas, we are pursuing our goal of gradually phasing out the production of liquefied natural gas by 2040.
of fossil fuels. The extraction of natural gas from unconventional reservoirs using the
However, we reject fracking technology.
Hydrogen
With its large share of renewable energies, important companies in the energy industry, its role as an energy hub and the fact thatand a strong energy research landscape, Lower Saxony is to be a pioneer on the road to climate-neutral energy.supply and the economy. Hydrogen will play a central role as an energy source, as hydrogen can be used in large quantities. quantities can be stored and transported.
Thanks to its location on the coast, the harbour infrastructure and the existing energy infrastructure, Lower Saxony is an
is of particular importance in the development of a hydrogen economy. The country has a well-developed gas infrastructureincluding seaports, cavern storage facilities and pipelines that would be available for hydrogen. We will utilise this locational advantage
in the development of a hydrogen infrastructure.
The first projects for importing green hydrogen are already underway in Wilhelmshaven. We will support these projects
and ensure that existing natural gas infrastructures are adapted and rededicated.
The prerequisite for this is to make production and transport competitive. This requires a great deal of research
and development work for efficient manufacturing, transport and storage technologies, which we can realise through innovation-
The company will also support the development of regional hydrogen clusters.
The first pilot projects for electrolysers on an industrial scale have been launched in Lower Saxony. The aim is to generate electricity
from offshore wind farms to produce green hydrogen, which is then used in industrial processes
be realised. For reasons of efficiency, plants for the production of green hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis are to be installed at the
feed-in points offshore, primarily on the coast. There are also active co-operations with other countries,
especially within the framework of the European Union.
Even if it will be a financial tour de force: We are not leaving our economy alone and are supporting it together with
the federal government as part of IPCEI funding for key projects along the entire hydrogen value chain.
Decarbonisation through hydrogen requires one thing above all: more renewable energies. Lower Saxony has this potential.
We have already replaced the electricity previously produced in the nuclear power plants in Lower Saxony with renewable energies.
covered. The expansion targets for wind and photovoltaics formulated jointly with the federal government are ambitious. However, the direct
Utilisation of energy along the coast creates potential for faster expansion.
Click here to go to the Election programme of the SPD Lower Saxony as PDF.
CDU
Economy
As interfaces in national and international logistics and supply chains, Lower Saxony's seaports and inland ports make an important contribution to the exchange of goods and Germany's overall defence capability, thereby ensuring security and prosperity far beyond our state borders. The future orientation of our ports towards security of supply, digitalisation, climate protection and sustainability should take place within the framework of increased North German port cooperation, in which the various locations can fully develop their respective potential. The basis for successful development can only be achieved if all development measures are geared towards the practical needs of the port industry and the international exchange of goods to diversify supply chains in the long term in a close exchange between all parties involved, such as in the seaport dialogue. As the CDU in Lower Saxony, we support our ports in their further development and keep them competitive in the face of international competition.
We will:
- Lower Saxony's seaports as a whole remain competitive and fit for the futureand continue to invest at a high level in the coming years.
- develop our harbours into energy ports and build the necessary infrastructure for this purpose. such as LNG terminals in Wilhelmshaven and Stade as well as landing possibilitiesfor hydrogen H2, for ammonia and LOHC transports, targeted and consequently.
- drive forward the deepening of the Lower Weser as far as Brake.
- accelerate the deepening of the Outer Ems.
- consistently drive forward the digitalisation of our ports in Lower Saxony.and support them in the automation of processes and workflows through an intellisupport the port management.
- promote a collaborative maritime economy, including research and training.
- maintain and further expand the existing inland ports.
- maintain the efficiency of the waterway network.
- modernise and expand the locks that are important for inland shipping.
Energy supply
With an honouredmiserly energy policy agenda, we want to utilise this potential of our federalthe state and make Lower Saxony the Energyland Number one in Germany mations. The dependence of our gas supply on a small number of countries, particularly from Russia, mWe need to reduce this as quickly as possible. Our goal is to until the end of 2023 completely independent of Russian natural gas, Russian Crude oil and Russian coal to becomethe. We need to create the infrastructural and logistical conditions to enable earthgas min the medium term and replace them with green energy sources such as ecological according toproduced in a sustainable way, green Hydrogen H2 to replace it.
We will:
- together with the federal government, extensive investments in suitable Lower Saxonysian harbours Wilhelmshaven and Stade and use them for the absorption of liquid Natural Gas (LNG) and also Biogas clearly to train.
- We are committed to ensuring that the LNG-Dateas be erected as quickly as possible and the fastest possible implementation is thus achieved.
- the conventional exploration possibilities for natural gas in Lower Saxony expandters and new Funding authorisations the sensitive areas of the lowlands; thesaxonThe Wadden Sea and the water protection areas of Lower Saxony remaincontinue to be exempt from this. Locally produced natural gas according to German standards has a lower CO2 footprint than gas that has to be delivered over long distances.
- exhaust all legal possibilities to transfer existing gas storage facilities in Lower Saxony back into public ownership if this is necessary in the interests of security of supply.
- Set up a cluster for storage technologies. "Power to gas" and other new technologies create opportunities for longer-term storage of surplus energy. Together with our neighbouring countries in the north and west, we will develop technologies and expertise for this. We will establish a joint research cluster for this purpose. We will support business partnerships to bundle synergy effects.
- rapidly and exponentially drive forward the production of green hydrogen H2. Green hydrogen - generated in particular by offshore wind power, but also onshore wind power and solar energy on our coasts - is one of the most promising energy projects in the state. This is why we will implement Lower Saxony's hydrogen strategy in a financially systematic, targeted and consistent manner.
Armed Forces
The German Armed Forces must not only make an effective contribution to the deterckability to workpower ambitions of Russia, it is also a decisive player in the capital market.disaster control. It is also an important civilian employer. The female soldiers und Soldiers of the Bundeswehr deserve more social recognition than before.
Therefore we will:
- dhe Bundeswehr is still an important player in Lower Saxony. more effective undersupportn.
- dhe joint security architecture of the police, security authoritiesauthorities and federalof the armed forces in disaster control consistent improve. About the Office- and cataverse help under the direction of the police, Joint operations at home verstrengthens geusualt be.
- the State construction management to speedym Trading with Federal real estatedefence instruct.
- towards the Covenant demandall Bundeswehr locations in Lower Saxony to received.
- give more space to the interests of the Bundeswehr by öPublic vows and thus promote the German Armed Forces stronger in the mithe centre of societyn
Click here to go to the Election programme of the CDU Lower Saxony as PDF.
Greens
Energy and harbour industry
We see great opportunities in the Energy Hub Northwest, the create many maritime jobs and preserve regional valuecreation can bring. The import ofon green gases strengthens the use of renewable energies that areentire harbour industry on the North Sea, but also inland. We demand a further expansion of offshorewind turbines and correspondinginfrastructure - in harmony with with nature and the local Conditions. For a sustainable We are committed to the port industry Implementation of a Green Harbourstrategy and a cross-national port co-operation. Goal is a sustainable hinterland connection by rail.
Maritime security and internationalStrengthening international cooperation
We want civil protection and the average command personnel and financially. This includes clear emergency plans for accidents. The Disaster control equipment in the Coastal areas and islands must be be significantly improved. In addition We demand more safety for shipsloads and containers and more Checks on load securing already in the harbour. Here, the State government has greater influence on taken by the federal government so that the international Level commitments be fulfilled. We want to Networking in the environmental sectorMonitoring, research and funding programmesprogrammes of the countries bordering the North Sea strengthen. Fossil-free ship propulsion systems, Measuring and localisation systems and intelligent ship control are particularly important. We want to maritime research at the universitiesschools and strengthen the maritime Training continuously adapted to the challengesrequirements.
Coastal and marine protection seriously take
Dyke protection and the protection of Islands are important for the coastal protection, as well as nature conservation of sediment management in the North Sea. We turn to thepressure against moving/folding of the silt sediment from the subdredging of the rivers and harbours along the North Sea coast and inland. Our goal is tosediment management in order to uncontaminated dredged material for the coastal protection, and compliance with the water frameworkguideline. Together with our Neighbouring countries must have the generalCoastal protection plans with a view to Climate impacts further developed and be realised. The world natural heritage site The Wadden Sea is unique and specialimportant for the diversity of species and climate protection. That is why we finally take marine protection seriously and the long-awaitedset up a special marine litter fund. We don't want plastic waste in our rivers, lakes, in the North Sea and in the harbours. Our goal is to, through a variety of activities and Projects to reduce marine litter and the old munitions, the timebombs in the sea. In future, we want to increase the flowas CO2-memory and for the Create flood protection.
Click here to go to the Election programme of the Greens in Lower Saxony as PDF.
FDP
Harbours & Shipping
Lower Saxony's maritime economy is a growth engine and ensures the competitiveness of the region.competitiveness of the entire export industry. Modern, future-proof ports and their connections are the decisive location factor for new companies. Economic Opportunities arise from the strategic development of the universal and specialityand the JadeWeserPort in the North German network.
In order to ensure a needs-based, progressive infrastructure in the state-owned ports and To implement investments in more efficient, more climate-friendly structures, a sufficientfinancial resources. The seaward accessibility of the harbours, but also the Reliable hinterland connections by rail, road and water are essential forcrucial links in the logistics chain. In order to channel the flow of goods effectively, in Lower Saxony inland waterways can be used coherently.
Support for the Inland navigation
Inland navigation plays an important role in thewaterway and combined transport Transport plays an increasingly important role and is intended for digitisation projects and the decarbonisation of the fleet be supported. Through innovation and technology leadership, e.g. in the Shipbuilding, for alternative drives or recycling result in furtheropportunities in competition and for securing jobs.
Energy & climate protection
Lower Saxony must make its contribution to combating climate change. We Free Democrats want to utilise the opportunities that arise from the geographical position of our already today, a great deal is already being produced from Lower Saxony. Energy through power lines with profit to neighbouring federal states and countries exported. This economic sector is to be further expanded by Lower Saxony central hub for all energy sources and thus an energy multi-hub. With its opportunities for import and export thanks to its access to the North Sea, the Europe's largest gas storage facility and extensive caverns for hydrogen storage and excellent opportunities for the utilisation of onshore and offshore wind energy are the necessary framework conditions for this. The Free Democrats are on the geostrategic importance of Germany's energy supply and -independentWe are aware of the importance of security of supply and therefore keep it a top priority.
We want Lower Saxony to create the conditions necessary to become a central hub for energy imports and distribution. This requires one or more completely open-technology import terminals (energy multihub) on the North Sea coast and centralisedrivers such as the Elbe. These must be designed for the current but also be suitable for the energy sources that will be increasingly required in the future. This can already existing structures and competences are utilised and strengthened. Through such energy multi-hubs will also make it possible to trigger further investments in the hinterland. The energy transition will make large electrolysis plants and cavern storage facilities necessary. Due to its geographical location, Lower Saxony offers the ideal conditions for both.ideal conditions. These can be realised economically with the energy multihubs. create favourable synergies. Lower Saxony therefore has the potential to become a nationwide Cluster for energy distribution with Europe-wide significance for the import and export of energy. We want to investments in facilities for import, export and for the redistribution of energy sources and proactively participate in the implementation.
Hydrogen strategy
The northern German states have North German hydrogen strategy rightly noted that the North has a well-developed natural gas infrastructure and that these have a perspective essential role for the establishment of of a hydrogen economy. To ensure that the development of watermaterials industry can succeed in a timely manner, the measures must be even more concretised and the necessary legal and regulatory adjustments, be implemented quickly. This requiresWe need the political support and the corresponding political Framework conditions for the structure of a hydrogen economy along the value chain. This creates a contribution to the energy transition, but also for modern and future-proof Reorganisation of the Lower Saxony economy is possible, which is why we on the entire value chain have to concentrate (production, transport, utilisation). Natural gas in its liquid form (LNG) and gaseous form is used in the Within the framework of the transformation in this context an important bridgefunction, because green waterat least in the coming years. one to two decades a scarce will be good. Without natural gas and LNG investment in "Hydrogen-Ready" plants did not start promptly with the consequence that right now at the beginning of the transformation valuable time would be lost. As a result, there must be no Disadvantage of such flexible behaviour by penalising the costs of Natural gas consumption still at a disadvantage in the granting of subsidies or in the financial taxonomy.
Click here to go to the Election programme of the FDP Lower Saxony as PDF.
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