Postponed due to change of government - decision in favour of Emden again

After the lavish National Maritime Conference with new concepts and an enormous spirit of optimism in Friedrichshafen on Lake Constance in 2019, at which the maritime coordinator Norbert Brackmann welcomed Chancellor Angela Merkel and the Minister President of Baden-Württemberg Winfried Kretschmann, expectations for this format were high. However, the NMK in Bremen, which will not take place until 2023 due to coronavirus, remained rather regionally focussed. Although Robert Habeck and Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz spoke, the coordinator Dieter Janecek, who never got off the ground, was able to make a strong impression with the motto "Strengthen location. Protect the climate. Shaping the future", he was unable to repeat the flair of Lake Constance. Now the forward-looking capabilities of the German maritime industry were to be demonstrated in Emden. Due to the change of government, the conference was cancelled.

The 14th National Maritime Conference 2026 will take place on 29/30 April 2026 in Emden.

It is regarded as the largest meeting of the maritime industry and is the German government's central forum for issues relating to the maritime industry. With around 800 expected participants, it would also be the most important maritime industry meeting. The conference is under the patronage of the Federal Chancellor. The organiser is Dr Christoph Ploß, Federal Government Coordinator for the Maritime Economy and Tourism, as the office is still known from the time of Claudia Müller from Meckelenburg-Vorpommern.

The first National Maritime Conference was already organised here in 2000. The expected topics will be the importance of the North German harbour locations, security of supply, energy issues and maritime security. It is also regarded as a dialogue between business, science and associations,
trade unions and politicians on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. Perhaps this time it will also be possible to attract a Federal Minister of Transport to the conference.

Text: hsc