The German Minister of Transport, Patrick Schnieder, has announced yesterday the disbursement of resources worth 400 million under a plan called "Klimafreundliche Schifffahrt und Häfen" with a four-year term from 2026 to 2029 to support the energy transition in the sector maritime-port area. The funds, allocated by the "Klima- und Transformationsfonds" (KTF), will be used, among other things, to install cold ironing systems in ports in order to allow ships at the quay to turn off their on-board engines and connect to the terrestrial electricity grid, to install port ports of call refuelling facilities for ship fuels alternative and to develop zero-impact maritime corridors environmental.

For Zentralverband der Deutschen Seehafenbetriebe (ZDS), 'the new program - said the CEO of the Association of German Port Operators, Florian Keisinger - is a positive sign: it shows that the government The Federal Council recognises the strategic importance of ports for the climate protection, supply chain security and the creation of of added value for industry. It is now essential that the funds are quickly allocated to concrete projects that actively stimulate structural change in ports, which are wind energy or low-speed port operations emissions".

ZDS noted that, however, this measure can only be only a first step as - highlighted the association - "the debt of investments in port infrastructures throughout Germany amounts to around 18 billion euros, of which €15 billion is earmarked for seaports and three billion euros for billion euros to inland ports. The urgent modernization of these critical infrastructures - ZDS noted - can be achieved only through a financing strategy sustainable and long-term. German seaports demand therefore also a significant increase in the equalization of port charges, which is expected to reach at least €500 million per year for investments and operating costs".

Marcel Lobeck, CEO of Bundesverband Öffentlicher Binnenhäfen (BÖB), the association of German inland public ports, stressed the need for of further public investment in port ports: "the Special Fund for Infrastructure - said Lobeck referring to the €500 billion fund and the 12-year duration approved by Parliament last March - offers the opportunity for a push for modernization absolutely necessary, but so far the ports have not been taken into account. consideration. This situation must change urgently. The German seaports and inland ports ensure, directly and indirectly, 4.5 million jobs well paid in our country, of which about 1.5 million in the sector. In comparison, the demands of the port industry are and represent money well invested."

ZDS and BÖB therefore requested that the "Klimafreundliche Schifffahrt und Häfen" both quickly followed by a wider range of investments that does justice to the global economic importance of the ports for the security of the national supply chain.

For the German shipowners' association, the announcement of the allocation of 400 million euros is a signal "The maritime industry - recalled the President of the Verband Deutscher Reeder (VDR), Gaby Bornheim - contributes several billion euros to the budgets of the EU Member States through the European Asset Trading System emission allowances. A significant part of this sum, through the German shipping companies, flows into the "Klima- und Transformationsfonds". It is logical that part of these funds is reinvested in the transition of the maritime sector, as they are necessary where companies invest in environmentally friendly ships, new propulsion systems and sustainable technologies. Anyone who wants to protect the climate at sea - Bornheim highlighted - must actively involve the sector and provide equitable support. It would be wrong to consider our industry simply as a taxpayer. It is part of the solution, not just part of the problem. Therefore, the return of these funds sends a signal important".