Highs and lows at the NMK
EMDEN Many representatives of the maritime sector and the port industry were only partially satisfied with the outcomes of the 14th National Maritime Conference (NMK), which took place in Emden at the end of April 2026. Although it was ultimately acknowledged that German policymakers have recognised the importance of seaports as critical infrastructure, the hoped-for commitments to a general reorientation of port financing by the federal government failed to materialise. Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s statement on pressing ahead with the dredging of the Ems and Weser was seen as a concrete signal to the port industry. The same applied to the discussion on the possibility of funding urgent renovation measures in the ports through project financing by the federal and state governments. Nevertheless, the Central Association of German Seaport Operators (ZDS) expressed its disappointment: “The hoped-for signal of a new beginning on the key issue of seaport financing was unfortunately missing from the Chancellor’s speech,” said ZDS Chief Executive Florian Keisinger, describing it as a “missed opportunity”. Instead of an urgently needed structural reorganisation, he said, “the status quo has effectively been cemented”.
Photo: Seaports of Niedersachsen
