BMV Publishes Call for Proposals for Over 14 Million Euros for Emission-Free Inland Navigation

Following the publication of a funding guideline for "Green Inland Navigation" by the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) in mid-July, for which an initial €125 million is earmarked for 2026, a call for proposals has now been launched for funding guideline 2, "Regional Shift of Public Transport and Commercial Traffic." Eligible applicants include companies, municipalities, municipal enterprises, transport operators, and other economic actors based in Germany. Applications can be submitted via the easy-Online funding portal starting September 1, 2026. The application deadline is October 19, 2026. An online seminar will also be held on August 27, where interested parties can learn about the funding conditions and the application process.

The aim of the funding is to accelerate the deployment of emission-free inland vessels on waterways and to enable new regional mobility and logistics services. Funding will support not only the purchase and conversion of vessels but also the necessary charging and hydrogen refueling infrastructure in ports, as well as facilities for the generation and storage of renewable electricity and hydrogen.

Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger, in connection with the call for proposals, emphasized the goal of establishing the waterway more firmly as part of a modern transport infrastructure. He noted that there is great potential for this, particularly in regional transport. "The crucial point is that innovative ideas become concrete projects that work and prove their worth in everyday use," said Bilger.