VDR Wants Attractive Framework Conditions for German Shipping Companies

The international competition among maritime locations worldwide remains intense. This is highlighted by the current study “The Leading Maritime Cities of the World 2024” (LMC) by the international classification society DNV and the Norwegian consulting firm Menon Economics. The LMC report compares and evaluates the maritime cities of the world based on various criteria, such as the state of the shipping industry, ports and logistics, the maritime finance and legal sector, maritime technologies, as well as overall attractiveness and competitiveness.

According to the study, Singapore ranks first among shipping centers. Singapore is well-prepared for the digital transformation of the industry and is a global leader in green technologies and solutions. Three European cities also make it into the top five leading maritime centers in the world: Rotterdam (2), London (3), and Oslo (5). The Chinese city of Shanghai secures the 4th place. Rotterdam excels particularly in the area of ports and logistics, while London is especially strong in the maritime finance and legal sector. As the only German city among the top 50 maritime locations in the world, Hamburg ranks 8th and performs relatively well, especially in the areas of shipping as well as ports and logistics.

“The competition among shipping locations worldwide for the favor of shipping companies remains tough. Important shipping locations with advantageous framework conditions are almost right at our doorstep. It is therefore all the more important to keep the framework conditions for shipping companies in Germany attractive. The German merchant fleet is currently stable and resilient despite significant challenges. It is crucial that this remains the case, as German maritime shipping is an indispensable part of the national economy. It significantly contributes to the well-being of the country by supplying businesses and the population with the goods they need for economic activity and living,” emphasizes Martin Kröger, Managing Director of the Association of German Shipowners.

Download Study “Leading Maritime Cities of the World 2024”