BSH kompakt 
15 
2006 
• German shipping companies 
are operating a commer 
cial fleet of about 3,100 
vessels, the third largest fleet 
worldwide 
• 2,202 seagoing vessels are 
listed In German registers 
(status: 1/2007) 
• 574 vessels fly the German 
flag (status: 1/2007) 
• including 377 vessels listed 
in the International Shipping 
Register (ISR) 
• Payment of financial aid In 
the amount of €51 million 
• Issue of 2,500 certificates to 
mariners 
• Recognition of about 700 
foreign radio operators’ 
certificates 
• Development of a professio 
nal development programme 
for masters and officers 
(together with the German 
coastal states) 
COMPETITIVE 
German commercial fleet and promotion of training 
The German shipping business is booming. The widely networked maritime 
industry is playing a central role both In regional markets and on the national 
level, and thus contributes essentially toward securing employment. 
Nevertheless, good growth perspectives cannot conceal the fact that the 
merchant fleet under the German flag Is operating in an environment of 
fierce competition and must find viable answers to globalised competition. 
To maintain the attractiveness of Germany as a business location for 
shipping companies, the Federal Government Is providing financial 
aid within the framework of the maritime alliance for employment and 
training in order to reduce non-wage labour costs. The shipping industry 
also benefits from the promotion of training places on board German 
flagged commercial vessels because there presently Is a lack of well 
qualified mariners and new recruits to the maritime industry. The BSH 
Is responsible for implementing suitable promotion programmes. 
Good qualification of mariners Is crucial to the safety of navigation. In up 
to 80 percent of all marine casualties, the “human factor” reportedly has 
played a role. In order to make sure that only adequately qualified mariners 
are allowed to work on board ships, international minimum qualification 
and training standards have been established. The standards specify the 
requirements for certificates, uniform certificate contents, endorsements, 
and checks. For validity and authenticity checks of certificates, the BSH 
maintains a central database of all certificates of competency and proficiency 
issued In Germany, which presently comprises over 75,000 entries and Is 
available to shipping authorities and companies as a source of information. 
2006 
• Durchführung von 60 Bau 
musterprüfungen (EG-Zulas- 
sungen); 
• Erteilung von 40 EG-Zulas- 
sungen für Qualitätssiche 
rungssysteme; 
• weitere 120 nationale Zulas 
sungen, darunter elektro 
nische Seekartensysteme; 
PROFESSIONELL 
Schiffssicherheit und moderne Bordtechnik 
Mit zunehmendem Schiffsverkehr steigen die Ansprüche an sicheres 
Navigieren. Immer komplexere Technik, die von gut qualifizierten Seeleuten 
bedient wird, macht dies möglich. Die Entwicklung und internationale 
Einführung modernster Navigationstechnik und Funkausrüstung unterstützt den 
Menschen bei der Schiffsführung und hilft, Schiffsunfälle zu vermelden. 
In Deutschland trägt das BSH dazu bei, dass die wachsenden 
Sicherheitsanforderungen erfüllt werden können. Das BSH-Prüflabor gilt