The Federal Government is Promoting Climate-Friendly Propulsion Systems in Inland Navigation

The Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) published its new funding guidelines for "Green Inland Navigation" in mid-July. An initial €125 million is available for 2026 to promote the use of zero-emission and low-emission propulsion and energy systems in inland navigation. By 2029, a total of €400 million from the Climate and Transformation Fund will be invested in climate-friendly shipping and ports.

Funding will support, among other things, the conversion and retrofitting of ships to alternative propulsion systems, as well as the development of the necessary charging and refueling infrastructure. The funding covers various energy carriers and fuels such as electricity, hydrogen, ammonia, and methanol. Furthermore, the program aims to create green freight corridors and shift more freight and passenger traffic to waterways. Subsidies of up to 95 percent of eligible costs are possible.

Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder emphasized that the funding program is specifically designed to promote climate-friendly technologies in inland navigation. The combination of alternative propulsion systems and the expansion of the necessary infrastructure will help to reduce emissions, relieve the burden on roads and strengthen the competitiveness of inland navigation in the long term.