BDB welcomes measures to strengthen inland navigation in 2022

Traffic light coalition decides on more funding and more staff positions for the WSV

The Federal Association of German Inland Navigation (BDB) very much welcomes the fact that the potential of the climate-friendly inland navigation is not only recognised, but is now also reflected in the resolutions of the new government coalition.

The fleet modernization program of the Federal Ministry of Transport will receive an increase of 10 million euros. This means that a total of 40 million euros will be available for the inland shipping industry in 2022. With this program, Federal Minister of Transport Volker Wissing promotes measures to increase the economic efficiency and competitiveness of inland navigation as well as measures to reduce air pollutant emissions. BDB Managing Director Jens Schwanen explains:

“This increase is urgently needed. I am pleased that the federal government is responding and increasing the program`s funding. Last year, there were significantly more applications for funding than there were budget funds available. Numerous entrepreneurs in inland navigation therefore went away empty-handed. I am pleased that the federal government is responding and increasing the program’s funding. The Federal Ministry of Transport will launch a new call for funding before the end of May.”

The number of posts in the WSV will be increased by 59 for the priority areas of climate protection and sustainability, priority infrastructure projects, planning acceleration and digitalization. There will be an increase of 11.5 posts for the implementation of priority infrastructure projects on the Rhine and the Wesel-Datteln Canal. I am pleased that the infrastructure measures there will now also be backed up by the urgently needed increase in jobs at the WSV,” explains Managing Director Jens Schwanen.

The budget for the maintenance and expansion of rivers and canals was increased by five million euros by the Budget Committee. However, the budget discussions for calendar year 2023, which begin in June, will be critical: According to current information, the budget for the maintenance and expansion of rivers and canals will then be around 500 million euros short.