Financial aid scheme for traditional ships published

On 18 September, the promised policy of the Federal Government to financially aid ships of traditional build has entered into force. Owners of traditional ships will soon be able to apply for financial support at the "Bundesanstalt für Verwaltungsdienstleistungen" (BAV) for the continued safe operation of their ships.

Ships of traditional build are objects of national value in Germany and are part of its maritime tradition. Because traditional ships carry people, the level of safety is important. In this regard, the Federal Transport Ministry issued new requirements for the construction, equipment and manning of traditional ships. The intention of the Federal Government with its newly published financial aid scheme is to aid owners of traditional ships in their safety investments and create an incentive for a swift implementation of the new requirements.

Financial support of traditional ships

Owners of traditional ships will soon be able to apply for financial support of their projects at the "Bundesanstalt für Verwaltungsdienstleistungen" (BAV). The BAV will publish the respective application form on their website (www.bav.bund.de). The applications will be processed electronically via the system "easy-Online", but applications will additionally have to be submitted as hardcopy with a signature.

Eligible for the aid will be any expenses that have become necessary under the new requirements that have entered into force on 14 March 2018 with the "Verordnung zur Änderung der schiffssicherheitsrechtlichen Vorschriften über Bau und Ausrüstung von Traditionsschiffen und anderen Schiffen, die nicht internationalen Schiffssicherheitsregeln unterliegen" (Ordinance amending ship safety provisions on the construction and equipment of ships of traditional build and other ships which do not fall under the international ship safety rules and regulations). Expenses in relation with existing rules are not eligible for this funding.

An application will be successful if the owner of the traditional ship arranged the renewal survey by the BG Verkehr within the usual time frame of this periodic survey. The survey report shows which new requirements may be funded. Along with the application, the shipowner has to submit cost estimates for the implementation of the requirements. If all required documents have been submitted, the Federal Government can support the planned conversion measures as a "Fehlbedarfsfinanzierung" (i.e. the amount is dependent on the expense as well as the financial capability of the applicant).

The details of the funding are given in the funding policy.

Questions about the application process will be answered by the BAV staff:

            Bundesanstalt für Verwaltungsdienstleistungen (BAV)
            Schloßplatz 9, 26603 Aurich
            Phone:          04941/602-678 (Montag bis Freitag im Zeitraum 9:00 Uhr bis 15:00 Uhr)
            Fax:               04941/602-81799
            E-mail:           Traditionsschiffe@bav.bund.de

Questions about surveys and requirements of the Ship Safety Ordinance will be kindly answered by the Ship Safety Division of BG Verkehr:

            BG Verkehr / Ship Safety Division
            Brandstwiete 1, 20457 Hamburg
            Phone:            040/361 37-239 (Ms Oya Sönmez)
            E-mail:            oya.sönmez@bg-verkehr.de