VSM Parliamentary Evening

Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection Robert Habeck at the VSM 2023 parliamentary evening

The parliamentary evening of the German Shipbuilding and Ocean Industries Association took place on Wednesday, 25 January. The kick-off for the year 2023 began with a record: more than 400 visitors from business, politics and associations were welcomed by the President, Harald Fassmer, in the joint state representation of Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein. He opened the traditional annual event with the demands and reminders to politicians that the VSM has been advocating for years: more support for the maritime industry, creating the framework conditions for competitiveness in international comparison and, above all, looking to the future. He referred to the current challenges of the maritime energy transition, the increasing influence of China on the maritime economy and the protection of maritime infrastructure. Public attention has never been greater, he said.

He welcomed Vice-Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection Robert Habeck as a guest speaker. Habeck thanked Fassmer for the VSM's stance. He also emphasised the major challenges that Germany will face in 2023, but considers Germany to be strong and prepared. Starting with a personal statement, he emphasised the importance of shipyards for Germany, the identity-creating power of the companies and his wish that - literally - "shipbuilding has a home in Germany". There are still major challenges on the path to decarbonisation and the energy transition, for which politicians must provide state guarantees and for which investments must be made primarily in Germany. Finally, he introduced his team for maritime coordination: the new Head of Division, Anja Stegner, and the newly appointed Maritime Coordinator of the Federal Government, Dieter Janecek.