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IHK Schleswig-Holstein
The Maritime Working Group: A driving force for Schleswig-Holstein’s future
The maritime industry is one of Schleswig-Holstein's key economic sectors. In order to strengthen its importance, identify challenges at an early stage and develop joint solutions, the Maritime Working Group of the IHK Schleswig-Holstein meets regularly. It brings together representatives from companies, research institutions and associations and is a strategic forum for dialogue and the further development of maritime issues in the state.
The working group pursues the goals of networking Schleswig-Holstein's maritime industry, increasing its visibility, providing impetus for innovation and location development, and developing positions vis-à-vis politics and administration. Its central tasks include:
• Cross-sector exchange: Shipyards, suppliers, offshore companies, logistics companies, start-ups, research institutions and many more find a platform in the working group to discuss needs, trends and challenges.
• Impetus for political decisions: The working group develops demands for state and federal policy, for example on improving maritime infrastructure, promoting innovation or securing skilled workers.
• Support for innovation projects: The focus is on new technologies, digitalisation and sustainability – whether in shipbuilding, marine technology or aquaculture – and these areas are given greater visibility through the working group's work.
Host City Local Partner
The Ocean Race Europe 2025
The maritime industry is under considerable pressure to transform in the face of climate change, the energy and mobility transition, digitalisation, geopolitical shifts and demographic change. Coordinated strategies, interdisciplinary knowledge and tailor-made funding instruments are needed to meet these challenges. The working group discusses topics for precisely this coordinated framework for action.
By involving a wide range of stakeholders, the working group ensures that practical solutions are developed that are supported by the industry itself. At the same time, it acts as a mouthpiece for the maritime industry in the political arena.
In 2025, there will be a special focus on maritime tourism, which is of enormous economic and cultural importance in Schleswig-Holstein. Sailing plays a prominent role in this: with events such as Kieler Woche, a large number of sailing clubs, marinas and boat yards, sailing tourism is not only a tourist attraction, but also an economic and location factor.
The working group recognises the potential of sailing for innovation and sustainability. Topics such as the expansion of port infrastructure, the digitalisation of port management, the use of sustainable boat materials and the promotion of water tourism along the coasts, rivers and canals are actively discussed. The aim is to position Schleswig-Holstein internationally as an attractive, sustainable sailing area while at the same time increasing regional value creation.
The Maritime Working Group is a key instrument for the strategic development of the industry in the state between the seas. It creates synergies, identifies future topics and provides decisive impetus for sustainable growth, location development and the recruitment of skilled workers. In doing so, it does not lose sight of the cultural, tourist and ecological dimensions of the maritime economy. The interaction with sailing in particular shows that the future of the maritime economy is diverse, innovative and sustainable.
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