Political decisions endanger the future of the Hamburg port: ver.di warns in relation to tractor ballet
Political decisions endanger the future of the Hamburg port: ver.di warns in relation to tractor ballet
On the occasion of the 835th Hamburg port birthday, which will be celebrated in the Hanseatic city from May 9th to 12th and the highlight of which is the traditional tractor ballet on Saturday, the United Service Union (ver.di) points out that the future of port is endangered by current political decisions.
"" Schlepper are not only indispensable as an attraction on the port birthday, but in particular to ensure safe traffic in the ports, on the rivers and channels, "emphasizes Maya Schwiegershausen-Güth, ver.di federal specialist group leader for the Maritime economy. "The budget committee of the Bundestag has therefore decided last year to write tugs on federal waterways. This decision is important to secure the maritime know-how in Germany and the working conditions of the people working on board. Unfortunately, the implementation of this decision has been delayed by the Federal Ministry of Transport for months. Hanseatic city that speculation with the vital maritime economy has to be put forward. ”
The current disability of the implementation of a flag regulation for the tractors, which maneuver large ships through rivers, channels and ports, is not acceptable for ver.di, especially against the background of the HHLA -aimed -out partial sale of the HHLA to the large shipping company MSC.
"Large shipping companies have already started to build their own fleets of towing ships. Against this background, it is also in its own interest that the federal law flag regulation is enforced for the tractors as quickly as possible and also implemented in state law (port regulation) in order to create clear rules and standards for a smooth process in the port. This also applies to the immediate implementation of the decision of the Hamburg Citizenship, that the activity also applies The tapes (the load on ships) is only reserved for the port workers to relieve the seafarers and to prevent accidents. And port workers in a successful port are possible.
A flag regulation for tractors on federal waterways would help to secure the maritime know-how in Germany and to improve working conditions on board. However, ver.di sees the decisions on the implementation of the flag regulation on the part of the Federal Ministry of Transport and the Hamburg Senate as delaying and dangerous for the future of the port. Against the background of the HHLA's desired partial sale to the large shipping company MSC, it is important to create clear rules and standards in the port. Leading the federal flag on tugs is already on other competitive ports such as Antwerp and offers advantages for shipping safety and working conditions of the people working on board.
It remains to be seen how the Hamburg Senate and the Federal Government will react to the claims of ver.di and whether a quick implementation of the flag regulation for tractors can be achieved.
[A relevant table with information on towing lines and shipping routes in the port of Hamburg could be inserted here, towing capacities of the shipping companies and other facts in order to illustrate the regional reference and offer added value to the reader.]