He emphasized the crucial role of these waterways for the German economy, placing them on par with road, rail and air transport
Stracke signalled intentions to push for increased funding during upcoming budget negotiations, aiming to secure sufficient resources to address substantial modernization needs He asserted that all transport sectors are currently facing underfunding, even with the special infrastructure fund in place and that this situation is unacceptable He stressed the public expectation that the governing coalition will prioritize improvements to transport infrastructure in the coming years
The pledge to invest in waterways is a specific commitment outlined in the current coalition agreement Wolfgang Große Entrup, head of the German Chemical Industry Federation, highlighted existing issues with the reliability of inland shipping, citing low water levels, particularly on the Rhine and deteriorating canal infrastructure He warned that neglecting this transport route could have serious consequences and urged immediate investment
Criticism is not limited to opposition parties Tarek Al-Wazir, a Green party politician responsible for transport policy, also expressed concern about the proposed budget He argued that without a reliable infrastructure network, Germany risks losing its competitive edge and current funding levels are insufficient even to cover essential repairs
