Maritime value-added and employment in Germany

The study “Maritime value-added and employment in Germany” makes it possible for the first time to make a scientifically substantiated assessment of the overall economic significance of the industry for Germany. The results can serve as a trend-setting basis for discussion for political decisions at all federal and regional levels.

The study was conducted on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) by a consortium consisting of ISL (Institute of Shipping Economics and Logistics), Fraunhofer CML, ETR (Economic Trends Research) and DIW Econ.

The focus of the report is on quantifying the value-added and employment of the various sectors of the maritime economy. A qualitative analysis of strengths, weaknesses, external trends and options for action places the quantitative data in a broader context.

The analysis covers all maritime sub-sectors, such as shipbuilding, shipping, offshore, ports or fisheries, and shows the effect on the overall value-added. The result shows that the Maritime Economy secured a total of 449,800 jobs in 2018 with a value-added of €29.8 billion and a turnover of €86.3 billion. 100 jobs in the Maritime Economy thus secure further 130 jobs in Germany.

The study is based on data sets prior to the outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic, but for the first time, indicates the industry’s strengths in Germany as well as the importance of the maritime sector to regain its former strength after the Covid 19 pandemic.

In the upcoming years, the fight against climate change and the accompanying constraints on shipping, for example, are expected to additionally increase operating costs. The search for the most climate-neutral propulsion technologies of the future is a highly urgent task for the shipping industry to create the necessary security for investments in new ships and essential infrastructure for fuel supply.

Final report

Summary

Press release of the BMWi