For over a hundred years, we have given shipping companies and seafarers guidance and safety.
Our goal is to be a leading, innovative and sustainable flag of quality in Europe.
BENEFITS AND INFORMATION ABOUT THE GERMAN FLAG
Advantages for shipowners
TOP QUALITY
On the White List of Paris MoU
& Tokyo MoU from the beginning.
Quality and safety are our principles – and always have ben. Since 1999, the beginning of flag state ranking at Paris-MoU, the German Flag has continuously been in the White List – the same goes for Tokyo-MoU. Moreover, Black-Red-GOLD proves its worth in the Flag State Performance Table of the International Chamber of Shipping ICS.
SERVICE ALL-AROUND
24/7 Service Team, comprehensive support,
digital ship certificates
Our Service Team takes care of any customer requests regarding the German Flag around the clock. We offer comprehensive emergency infos to assist shipping companies and seafarers. The German Flag has been issuing ship certificates digitally since 2015 – quick and simple.
PRACTICAL APPROACH
Our competent staff
spent time at sea themselves
The people working at the German Flag have a practical approach because they have worked in the maritime industry and bring in their experience to get to a practical solution. Many of our employees are navigational and engineering officers who have spent time at sea and know what is important on board.
CLOSE BY
We are there for you in Germany &
in 220 German representative offices abroad
The experts of the German Flag assist our customers from our base in Hamburg. A personal conversation cannot replaced by anything after all. But the German Flag has "homeports" worldwide as well. Seafarers and shipowners will always find a reliable point of contact with one of our over 220 German embassies and consulates.
COSTS DOWN
Non-profit flag & 100% subsidization
of taxes and social contributions
The German Flag is not a privately organized flag register trying to generate the largest possible profit – this is a real profit for our customers. Additionally, 100% subsidization of wage taxes and social contributions make the German Flag an asset in the stiff competition shipowners have to face. Moreover, shipping companies also profit from high subsidies for seafarers' training and low fees.
LEGALLY WATERTIGHT
A clear legal framework &
transparent administration and judicial system
Legal certainty is an important locational factor. Germany offers with clear laws, an administration that works in a transparent way and independent courts stable and secure general set-up. In addition, Germany is part of 80 bilateral shipping agreements. This means that with the German Flag shipping companies and seafarers profit from free access to international transport markets and an easy entry, transit and stay of the ship's crew in ports.
SUSTAINABLE FOR SEAFARERS
Excellent training
& social security for all seafarers
The German Flag is the "training flag". Shipping companies with ships flying the German Flag offer training disproportionately more often than other flags and this gains them seafarers made to measure for their needs on board their fleet of ships. Convincingly sustainable too is the globally one-of-a-kind social security of seafarers on German-flagged ships – all subsidized by the German Flag. This is a real bonus in time of skilled labour shortage.
WORLDWIDE HIGHLY RESPECTED
Great trust in Black-Red-GOLD
Germany and the German Flag are held in high esteem all over the world. "Made in Germany" stands for high quality and reliability in the international arena. In particular during port State controls abroad, the great reputation of Black-Red-GOLD is of great value.
EQUIPPED FOR FUTURE CRISES
Reliable help - also in unsure times
Bright skies – any flag can work with that. But maritime shipping is often faced with stormy seas. Especially during crises and pandemics, the reliability of the German Flag pays off. We support and advise shipping companies and seafarers – no matter the storm to weather.
INNOVATION DRIVER
Tailwinds for the course
towards climate neutral shipping
Maritime shipping is becoming climate neutral. With technical innovations, close interlinking of the sciences and the economy as well as research grants, the German Flag supports shipping companies headed for more environmental sustainability.
Advantages for seafarers
OPTIMAL SECURITY
Unique protection with
statutory social security
Seafarers on sea-going ships flying the German Flag proft from German statutory social security. The benefits of the statutory accident insurance are wider reaching than with any private accident insurance or the P&I clubs. And the family health insurance is very popular with European seafarers, because many family members are covered as well. No other flag has that on offer.
FAIR WORKING CONDITIONS
Transparent maritime labour rights &
effective implementation
With the Maritime Labour Act and nine legal ordinances, the German Flag offers a transparent legal framework for fair working conditions on board. Our regular checks and audits ensure an effective implementation of the legal requirements. We diligently follow-up on every complaint we receive and make sure that seafarers' rights are protected.
HEALTH CARE
Top tier medicine on board &
psychological support
CLEAR LEGAL FRAMEWORK
Effective laws, independent judicial
system, administration with integrity
Germany offers seafarers sailing under German Flag a strong legal security with effective laws, independent courts and an administration with integrity. In addition, Germany is part of 80 bilateral shipping agreements. This means that with the German Flag seafarers profit from free access to international transport markets and an easy entry, transit and stay in ports.
SAFETY FIRST
High quality & a practical occupational
health and safety on modern ships
High standards of quality, ship safety and occupational health and safety are part of the tradition of the German Flag. Already since the 19th century has the mutual indemnity association (Berufsgenossenschaft) provided for the best possible occupational protection on board. The Handbook of Safe Working Practices is just one example of how practical prevention can avert work accidents on board.
AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE
Help at hand in 220
German embassies and consulates
With over 220 German embassies and consulates all over the world, seafarers sailing under German Flag always have a liable point of contact. These German "homeports" abroad offer reliable consular protection – whether it is about a serious health issue or a problem with local authorities.
COMPREHENSIVE SERVICE
24/7 Service Team &
custom-fit digital services
CAREER BOOSTER
Excellent vocational training &
subsidized professional development
Maritime vocational training "Made in Germany" has an excellent reputation. Shipping companies with ships flying the German Flag offer training disproportionately more often than other flags – the German Flag is the "Training Flag". The Foundation Schifffahrtsstandort Deutschland financially supports professional development of seafarers.
A PARTNER FOR SEAFARERS
Support from seafarers' and
shipowners' associations
Working in close cooperation with seafarers' and shipowners' associations in Germany is a real advantage for employers: In the "Maritime Alliance" the associations together with the federal government and coastal states agree upon initiatives for more training and employment in the German maritime sector. The freedom to form a coalition, which means the right to form a union or a employer association is ingrained in our Constitution.
GLOBALLY HIGHLY RESPECTED
Great trust in Black-Red-GOLD
Germany and the German Flag are held in high esteem all over the world. "Made in Germany" stands for high quality and reliability in the international arena. The good image of Black-Red-GOLD is also a pro for ship crews – for example, because it inspectors do not expect to encounter problems on board German-flagged ships
Seafaring made in Germany:
THE GERMAN FLAG AT A GLANCE
- Top quality and reliable conditions
- 24/7 all-round service and digital ship certificates
- Non-profit flag and 100& subsidization for taxes and social contributions
- High international esteem of Black-Red-GOLD
- Safety and protection through worldwide diplomatic support
- fair working conidtions and high social security for seafafrers
- Strong maritime training and subisidized professional development
- Close exchange with seafarers' and shipowners' associations
