Hamburg CDU politician Christoph Ploß becomes coordinator for the maritime economy!

Hamburg CDU politician Christoph Ploß becomes coordinator for the maritime economy!

Christoph Ploß, who has been a member of the Bundestag for the CDU since 2017, has been appointed as the federal government's new coordinator for the maritime economy and tourism. This decision was published after he won the direct mandate in the Hamburg-Nord constituency on May 28, 2025 with 28.1 percent of the first votes. He succeeds the previous Green Party politician Dieter Janecek, who held this office. The appointment took place as part of the federal government's efforts to advance the maritime economy in Germany.

Federal Minister of Economics Katherina Reiche praised Ploß for his extensive networking in the maritime industry and his experience in the Transport Committee. Ploß will focus on various key challenges, including strengthening the maritime economy and reducing the renovation backlog in German ports.

Strategies to strengthen the maritime economy

Ploß is planning to introduce an internationally competitive tonnage tax to make Germany more attractive as a location for shipping and shipping companies. The importance of German ports for foreign trade is enormous, as two thirds of German foreign trade is carried out through them. Ploß is therefore committed to ensuring that port policy becomes a national task and that coastal countries are more closely involved in the financing of seaports.

The federal government also wants to prioritize important infrastructure projects, including the A20 coastal motorway, the A26-Ost and the construction of a new Köhlbrand Bridge. Ploß is convinced that faster implementation of reforms in planning law is necessary to promote more investment in the transport network around the ports.

Focus on sustainable technologies

The Maritime Research Strategy 2025 also plays a crucial role in strengthening the maritime economy. This strategy, which was developed with the participation of large parts of the maritime industry, aims to promote sustainable technologies and ensure the competitiveness of the industry. Cross-sector projects were created along the entire value chain in order to create high-quality maritime jobs and improve value creation in the country.

The Maritime Research Strategy includes two main funding measures: the Maritime Research Program and the Real-Time Maritime Security Technologies Funding Line. These programs focus on environmental sustainability, use of digital technologies, maritime security and the sustainable development of maritime resources. Particularly noteworthy is the new edition of the funding program, which was introduced on August 30, 2023 and focuses on climate-neutral shipping.

Ploß, who has roots in Hamburg-Nord and went to school there, has always fought for faster planning and approval procedures throughout his political career. Its goal is to effectively support the maritime economy and the tourism industry in Germany and to sustainably improve the framework conditions for these two important sectors. In his new role, he will now have to significantly influence and shape these important aspects.