Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger (CDU) has advocated for the expansion of Germany’s river routes. Speaking to “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland,” he stated that the inland waterways deserve support because they represent the “most environmentally friendly mode of transport.”
According to Bilger, confidence in inland shipping can only be maintained if low water levels do not occur regularly. Therefore, he argues that building out the waterways is necessary to secure long-term reliability. He is aware of the criticism from nature conservation groups, who oppose expansion and instead campaign for healthier, more vibrant rivers. Despite this, Bilger mentioned that he plans to discuss his expansion proposals with environmental organizations.
Concurrently, the Minister is promoting the full continuation of subsidies for low-water vessels. These subsidies had been halved from an initial amount of 36 million euros slated for 2027 due to budget constraints. Bilger confirmed that this issue would be brought up during parliamentary budget consultations. Furthermore, the necessary European coordination is being advanced to prevent any unnecessary delay in maintaining the funding, noting that the industry had provided clear feedback on the matter.
