Geopolitical tensions are currently increasing risks for merchant shipping across several key maritime trade routes simultaneously—from the Gulf region to the Red Sea and the Black Sea, as well as the Baltic Sea and major trade routes in the Indo-Pacific. The situation in the Gulf region is particularly tense. Since the outbreak of the Iran war at the end of February, more than 2,000 merchant vessels with around 20,000 seafarers on board have been stranded in the Persian Gulf, including at least 50 vessels operated by ten German shipping companies with approximately 1,000 seafarers. The only route out of the Persian Gulf leads through the Strait of Hormuz, which is currently unsafe to transit. Around 20 merchant vessels have already been attacked, resulting in fatalities and injuries among seafarers.
“The war involving Iran highlights just how closely geopolitical conflicts and global supply chains are intertwined,” said Gaby Bornheim, President of the German Shipowners’ Association (VDR), at the association’s annual press conference in Hamburg. “Around two-thirds of Germany’s foreign trade is transported by sea. For an export nation like Germany, safeguarding merchant shipping—and, above all, the seafarers who operate these vessels—is therefore of strategic importance. Our thoughts are with the seafarers who continue to work under extremely challenging conditions.”
“In the current situation, it is understandable that the German government is carefully weighing possible protective measures for shipping. At the same time, a fundamental question arises: how much importance does Germany attach to safeguarding free and secure maritime trade routes, as well as to protecting shipping and its crews? For us, the answer is clear — it is of the highest importance,” said Martin Kröger, Chief Executive Officer of the VDR.
Germany’s Merchant Fleet Remains Among the World’s Largest
Germany continues to be one of the world’s leading maritime nations. The German merchant fleet currently comprises 1,716 vessels with a gross tonnage of 46.7 million, making it the seventh largest merchant fleet worldwide, behind countries such as Greece and China.
Germany has traditionally been particularly strong in container shipping. With 30.4 million gross tonnage, the German container fleet has moved up from third to second place globally, overtaking China (30.2 million). Only Switzerland remains ahead, with 41.2 million gross tonnage.
“Germany’s merchant fleet is a strategic asset,” emphasized Kröger. “It safeguards the country’s economic and public supply and, when needed, can also support military reinforcement and logistics operations as well as humanitarian missions.”
Maritime Service as a New Building Block to Strengthen Maritime Expertise
The strength of German shipping ultimately depends on the people who operate its vessels. In light of growing geopolitical risks, Germany will need a larger national maritime workforce in the long term to ensure the operational capability of its merchant fleet—even in extraordinary crisis situations.
The VDR therefore proposes introducing a maritime service within merchant shipping as part of the new military service framework. The aim is to build a civilian maritime reserve whose members could help maintain seaborne supply chains in an emergency. At the same time, such service would offer young people a pathway into the shipping industry by providing practical onboard experience and training credits that could later be recognized and shorten formal maritime training.
Maritime service would thus represent a civilian option within the military service system while strengthening the maritime expertise that is essential for Germany’s supply chains and sea transport capabilities.
Should compulsory military service be reintroduced in the future, this maritime service could also serve as a civilian alternative within merchant shipping. The association also advocates returning to a proven practice: until conscription was suspended in 2011, active seafarers could be deferred from military service due to their indispensable role in transport and supply.
“We need a significantly larger national maritime workforce in the long term,” said Kröger. “In a real crisis, we must not be caught unprepared. Maritime service is our proposal to policymakers to strengthen maritime expertise. A resilient nation needs not only soldiers, but also seafarers who safeguard its supply.”
More Young Talent at Sea: Highest Entry Figures in Over Ten Years
At the same time, the development of young talent in the industry is encouraging. Since 2023, the number of new entrants at sea has risen from 418 to 537—an increase of nearly 30 percent and the highest level since 2012. This includes, in particular, nautical and technical officer career paths as well as training as ship mechanics.
“The increase in young talent is a very positive development and excellent news,” said Bornheim. “It shows that more and more young people recognize the opportunities offered by careers in shipping. This is a strong signal for the future of our maritime sector.”
All detailed figures and further information on German merchant shipping can be found at: www.reederverband.de
About the German Shipowners’ Association
The German Shipowners’ Association (VDR) represents the common economic and socio-political interests of German shipping companies at federal and state level as well as vis-à-vis European and international bodies. The VDR was founded in 1907 and merged with the Association of German Coastal Shipowners in 1994. With around 200 members, the VDR represents the largest part of the German merchant fleet. More information at www.reederverband.de/en.
