Overview

• Christoph Ploß is finalizing measures this year to use energy-policy budgets and KfW-backed guarantees for converting North Sea and Baltic ports into hydrogen, methanol and e-fuel logistics centers.
• The plan taps the maritime special fund for state-coordinated projects such as land upgrades at Kiel harbor, a new station in Brunsbüttel and terminal expansions in Kiel and Lübeck.
• Ploß has called for Hamburg’s Köhlbrandbrücke replacement to be completed in the 2030s to satisfy NATO logistics and broader security requirements.
• He urged northern German states to overcome rivalries between Hamburg, Bremen and others by speaking with a unified voice on harbor policy.
• Highlighting that federal port financing stands at €38 million per year against industry calls for €500 million, he advocates a national funding model similar to those in the Netherlands and Belgium.