For an export-oriented country like Germany, maritime shipping is of vital importance. Up to 90 per cent of goods are globally exchanged by more than 36,000 merchant ships. Added to this is the steadily growing number of cruise ships and shortsea ferry traffic, for example, to the East Frisian Islands. Today, maritime shipping is one of the most resource-efficient modes of transport. Nevertheless, resource efficiency within the industry needs to be further improved in light of the environmental and economic concerns for the depletion of resources and the increasing environmental challenges that we face today.

As the volume of ocean-going traffic continues to increase, the focus is necessarily directed to the protection of environment. Key objectives in this area must be to minimize – and ideally eliminate - the negative impact of shipping on the marine environment. For the continued development of the overall system of navigation and port, Lower Saxony relies therefore on green shipping initiatives and green ports.