Rede: Germany’s Role in the Maritime Industry

1 Germany’s Role in the Maritime Industry Georg Wilhelm Adamowitsch State Secretary - Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology International Offshore Mechanics and Artic Engineering Conference – OMAE 2006 Monday, 5 June 2006 HEJ Thank you for inviting me to address the 2 OMAE here at the CCH in the Hanseatic OMAE for the first time in Germany City of Hamburg. I am pleased to see that this year is not only a "time to make friends" in Germany for the FIFA World Cup matches, but also for the maritime industry A time to make friends – Die Welt zu Gast bei Freunden and sciences. It is a great honor for Germany to host the OMAE in the year of its twenty-fifth anniversary. It all began as an American conference, launched by the initiative of the Ocean Offshore and Arctic Engineering Division (OOAE) of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). Since its establishment in New Orleans back in 1982, the OMAE Conference has developed into the world's most important offshore conference. It now has the support of thirty- three sponsoring organizations from all over the world, including the German Society for Maritime Technology. Four years after its start, the OMAE Conference was held in Tokyo, for the first time outside the United States. And we are happy to have you here in Germany this year as our guests in Hamburg. Hamburg, the gateway to the world and one of Europe's most important metropolises, is particularly well suited to host the twenty-fifth OMAE. ... -2- The growth of Hamburg from the "Hammaburg" farming settlement - set up in the year 812 at the confluence of the Alster and Elbe rivers - into one of the world's foremost ports is a historical success story. Modern services in the logistics, technology, and media branches - alongside modern industrial production and traditional 3 commerce - now define the profile of one of Hamburg – gateway to the world Europe's most dynamic economic centers. Founded in 812 as the „Hammaburg“ farming village Leading shipyards such as Blohm+Voss One of the world‘s leading harbors Modern industrial production (e.g. AIRBUS) continue to put their stamp on the port of Dynamic center for logistics, technology, and media Leading shipyards (e.g. Bloom + Voss) Hamburg and we look back fondly on the visit Center of excellence in shipbuilding and marine technology here by the world's largest passenger liners: the Queen Mary II and the Freedom of the Seas. Hamburg is also home to some of the world's leading shipping companies and it is one of the most important ship financing sites.With the Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg and the Hamburg Ship Model Basin, the city is a center of maritime research and development with excellent credentials in maritime and polar technologies. This year, Hamburg is again hosting the Ship- building, Machinery, & Marine Technology 4 International Trade Fair - SMM 2006. With 2006 – Maritime industry and science meet in Hamburg 42,000 specialist visitors1, a third of whom come from outside Germany, and more than 1,400 exhibitors, SMM 2006 is t h e leading fair in the maritime shipbuilding industry with a growing share of marine technology. This year, 5th National Maritime Conference the OMAE 2006 and SMM 2006 make 4 December 2006 Hamburg the world's central meeting place for the maritime industry and scientific community. The strategic importance of the maritime industry for Germany was clearly outlined in the "German Government's Guidelines for the Promotion of the Maritime Economy" of June 2000. With more than 220,000 jobs throughout Germany, it is of central importance for a broad range of areas in our economy and public sector. This will increase in the future. 1 in the year 2004 ... -3- Since demand for transport services continues to 5 expand, sea lanes and inland waterways will Maritime industry in Germany – a strategic sector have to be used more intensively to move cargo. First National Maritime Conference June 2000 in Emden: As an export nation, Germany therefore sees the Guidelines of the Federal Government to Promote the Maritime Industry in Germany maritime industry as an economic sector of great Strategic importance for Germany as a whole importance for shaping the future. The maritime 270 000 employees throughout Germany Maritime sector growing faster than overall economy industry in Germany embarked on a path of growth several years ago, and the trend is going to continue. Germany's port sector showed sharply rising figures in 2005, with an increase of total cargo 6 Maritime industry in Germany – success story I of some 5% to more than 280 million tonnes. Maritime Ports 2005: Forecasts by the German Transport Minister indicated that the average annual increase at German ports will amount to 4.4%. 5% growth up to 280 million tonnes Future growth roughly 4.4% a year New deep-water ports for world‘s largest vessels Automatic port handling system 7 In the maritime shipping area, the merchant fleet Maritime industry in Germany – success story II controlled by Germany shipping companies Maritime transport 2005: world‘s largest an most modern container fleet comprises some 2,700 vessels. With a registered German fleet comprises more than 2.700 ships 50 million registered tonnes – ranks 3rd in the World tonnage of some 50 million, our merchant 100% growth since 1999 Leading role of German ship brokers in freighting marine is the third largest in the world. Since merchant vessels German banks finance roughly 50% of merchant vessels 1999, its registered tonnage has more than doubled. ... -4- German had an order backlog shipyards and 8 their subcontractors are booming. At the end of Maritime industry in Germany – success story III 2005, the shipyards of more than 11 billion Shipbuilding 2005: Euros. In value terms, Germany accounts for Order books: orders of 11 billion Euro some 10% of world shipbuilding turnover.