The German Shipowners’ Association (VDR) is the umbrella organisation of the German maritime shipping industry, and a welcome Supporter of the 2026 Propulsion & Future Fuels Conference in Hamburg, 1-3 December.
Founded in 1907, VDR currently represents around 200 shipping companies – from medium-sized family businesses to global players – and the German shipping industry which has the world’s fifth-largest merchant fleet with 1,716 vessels, and recently overtook China to become number two in container ship rankings,
Since 2000, VDR has also made a significant contribution to the successful organisation of the biennial National Maritime Conference, the central forum for the maritime industry and maritime policymaking in Germany.
At their own annual press conference in March this year, the VDR proposed a new maritime service for merchant shipping which could operate as a civilian option within the new military service framework which was adopted in Germany at the beginning of the year.
The aim would be to create a civilian maritime reserve available in times of emergency, and also provide a pathway for young people into the shipping industry by offering practical experience at sea and training credits.
The VDR also highlighted an increase of almost 30% since 2023 in the number of young people going to sea, a development welcomed by Gaby Bornheim, the first female President of the VDR.
VDR’s Technical Advisor for Climate, Marine Research & Digitalization, Philipp Simmank, will also be joining the conference as a moderator.
Early Bird tickets offering a 20% discount are available for those planning on attending the PFF Conference, the longest-running technical conference in the shipping sector.
VDR members are also eligible to a 50% discount off the premium delegate pass with code PFFVDR.
Book today or contact the team at +44 1329 825335
