Maritime entry points aren't exclusive to seafaring nations alone
Ready, Steady, Ray-Ber-Ah!
Christoph Ploß, the new chief commander of maritime economy and tourism in the federal government, is stirring excitement in the North with his harbor-boosting plans. He aims to flood Hamburg with more federal coin, putting boots on the ground for German ports.
During an interview with "Die Welt am Sonntag," the Hamburg CDU member of the Bundestag opined, "The feds should lend a helping hand here, big time!" While he remained vague on specific figures, it's clear – the harbors aren't just for north German coastal states.
Ploß championed a national approach to harbor policy, akin to the Netherlands and Belgium, where the entire government backs their ports. "Sure, the Basic Law assigns harbor duties to the states," he conceded, "But I'd love a similar perspective for Germany."
Today, the federal government shuffles 38 million euros yearly towards all German seaports. The industry and northern states are preaching for at least 500 million. Ploß predicted: "In the long haul, the feds gotta pull up their bootstraps on port infrastructure." He's talking about improving the loading distribution of harbors and giving a boost to specific projects with a federal stamp.
Ploß stopped by Kiel for a sit-down with Schleswig-Holstein's Minister of Economics, Claus Ruhe Madsen (CDU), and together they gabbed about harbors. "We need to stabilize harbor financing," Ploß told German Press Agency after their tete-a-tete.
But not all federal funds are for the harbor! The A20 motorway is stockpiled for action, too. "I'll do my darndest as maritime coordinator and tourism chief to ensure A20 construction moves forward," Ploß declared, "It ain't a luxury; it's vital for Schleswig-Holstein's general infrastructure and maritime economy."
Theme-oriented federal aid is also in Ploß's arsenal. He mentioned enhancing hinterland connections, developing shore power facilities, and upgrading Kiel's harbor, Brunsbüttel's industrial area, and Kiel Ostufer's passenger terminal – not to mention the refurbishment of piers at the Lübeck Skandinavienkai, the electrification of railway lines, and the funding of shore power facilities in the Hanseatic city.
"So how about some defense budget loot or a special force fund?" mused Ploß, envisioning options to support the maritime economy. Potential projects range from bridge and highway renovations, as they aren't quite up to snuff to withstand the latest defense challenges, to considering harbors from a security policy angle.
"Harbors are logs-tastic hubs, key to NATO troop deployments to the eastern flank," stressed Ploß. So infrastructure matching military needs has gotta be on the money, including bridges, access roads, and other gear capable of handling tanks and whatnot. Ploß sniffed at current plans to revamp Hamburg's Köhlbrand Bridge, mouthful scheduled for 2042 – "other nations would chuckle at that timespan!"
Returning to friendlier subjects, Ploß coaxed the northern German states to join forces and cooperate. "If the north divides and views itself as competitors instead of partners, everyone suffers," he warned. "Rivalries belong on the soccer pitch, not in politics."
Politics and general news surrounding the maritime economy sector suggest that Christoph Ploß, the newly appointed chief commander, is advocating for increased federal funding to enhance port infrastructure across Germany. His vision aligns with the models implemented in countries like the Netherlands and Belgium, emphasizing a national approach to harbor policy. Amidst these discussions, Ploß also highlighted the importance of supporting A20 motorway construction, which plays a crucial role in Schleswig-Holstein's general infrastructure and maritime economy.
