Organisation
We want to strengthen the maritime sector.
The German Maritime Centre was founded in 2017. It is an independent institution based in Hamburg. Our members are the federal government as the main funder, five German states and the major maritime associations.
Our areas of work cover entire value chains in the fields of shipbuilding and marine technology, shipping, and ports and maritime logistics. We draw on the maritime sector’s innovative capacity and on topics of the future such as fossil-free, emissions-free propulsion systems, autonomous shipping, and recruiting young talent, so that the maritime industry can continue to maintain a leading position internationally.
We support the maritime industry by providing information and studies on developments in markets, technologies, laws and policies. At the core of our work are issues relating to designing and implementing research, development and innovation (RD&I) in the maritime sector. We support cooperative approaches to research and development, for instance, by commissioning studies and projects that implement research results, increase knowledge and further develop the technological state of the art in the maritime sector.
We want to
- Promote the perception of the maritime sector as a diverse and future-oriented employer.
- Expand and intensify interdisciplinary exchange within the sector as well as with other branches of industry, but also with politics, science and public authorities nationwide.
- Support the maritime sector at European and international level.
Our priorities include: competitiveness, sustainability and climate change, technological change, demography and attracting young talent.
Association
The purpose of the association is to increase the competitiveness and innovative strength of the entire German maritime location and to strengthen know-how and career prospects in the maritime economy.
This also includes addressing and coordinating cross-cutting maritime issues that require a cross-sectoral approach. The German Maritime Centre sees itself as a point of connection between industry, science and public authorities.
The association receives funding from the budget of the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV), from 2018 to the end of 2021 this came from the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI). In addition, we receive member contributions. In the first three years, the focus was on building up the personnel and technical infrastructure and defining fields of work. In the period from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2023, we will now devote ourselves to further expansion until the start of operations.
The organs of the association are the General Assembly, the Executive Board and the Advisory Board. The General Assembly is the supreme body of the association. It consists of all members.
Members
Our members are the German federal government, the five federal states and leading large maritime associations. The General Assembly is the supreme body of the association. It convenes at least twice a year. Each member has one vote. Our aim is to attract further associations and federal states as members.
Federal Republic of Germany
State of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
State of Lower Saxony
Land Schleswig-Holstein
represented by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Transport, Employment, Technology and Touris
Free Hanseatic City of Bremen
Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg
Maritime Cluster Northern Germany
Association of German Captains and Ship’s Officers
German Shipowners’ Association
Association for Shipbuilding and Marine Technology
Central Association of German Seaport Operators
German Shipbrokers’ Association
Executive Board
The Executive Board of the German Maritime Centre consists of five natural persons. Currently, it is composed of representatives of the major maritime associations and two representatives from the federal states. The term of office of all board members is three years. The board meets at least twice a year. Its members work in an unpaid and voluntary capacity.
Dr. Reinhard Lüken
ChairpersonManaging DirectorAssociation for Shipbuilding and Marine Technology (VSM)
E-Mail: Vorstand[at]dmz-maritim.de
Lutz M. Birke
Deputy Chairperson, TreasurerHead of Port and InnovationMinistry of Economy and Innovation, Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg
Daniel Hosseus
Board MemberManaging DirectorCentral Association of German Seaport Operators (ZDS)
Dr. Niels Kämpny
Board MemberHead of Department of Industry and Maritime EconomyMinistry of Economic Affairs, Employment, Transport and Digitalisation of Lower Saxony
Dr. Martin Kröger
Board Member
Managing Director
German Shipowners’ Association
Advisory Board
The German Maritime Centre has an Advisory Board that supports and advises it by providing specialist and industry knowledge. The Advisory Board consists of up to 24 persons. The members of the Advisory Board are elected for a term of three years by the General Meeting upon nomination by the Executive Board. Members of the Advisory Board serve in a voluntary and unpaid capacity.
Achim Wehrmann
ChairpersonFederal Ministry for Digital and Transport
Torsten Conradi
PresidentThe German Boat- and Shipbuilding Association
Knut Gerdes
Maritime Beratung Knut Gerdes
Dr. Karin Kammann-Klippstein
President Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency
Dr. Hermann J. Klein
Chairperson of the Executive BoardThe German Society for Maritime Technology
Petra Mahnke
Managing DirectorGerman Association for Marine Technology
Capt. Wilhelm Mertens
Managing DirectorAssociation of German Captains and Ship’s Officers
Dr. Alexander Nürnberg
Managing DirectorO.S. Energy
Michael Ströh
Managing DirectorGerman Port Technology Association
Jörgen Thiele
Scientific Advisory Board
German Offshore Wind Energy Foundation