Schifffahrt

Schifffahrt, literally ship transport in German, is the sector of maritime transport that moves goods and people by ships across seas, oceans and inland waterways. It includes container ships, bulk carriers, tankers, ferries, cruise ships and other vessel types, as well as port operations, shipbuilding and related logistics services.

Historically, Schifffahrt enabled cross-continental trade since ancient times, evolving with ship design, navigation, and later the advent of steam, containerization, and global supply chains. The modern system relies on standardized freight units (containers), digital navigation, and international laws to govern safety and environmental obligations.

International regulation is centered on bodies such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Key conventions include SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea), MARPOL (pollution prevention), and the ballast water management convention, along with UNCLOS for maritime jurisdiction. Classification societies and flag states oversee certification, safety inspection, and survey of ships, while port state control enforces compliance in ports.

Schifffahrt is essential to global trade, handling the majority of cross-border goods by volume. It relies on a global network of ports, terminals, shipyards and logistics companies, and employs millions of seafarers and shore-based workers.

Environmental concerns include greenhouse gas emissions, oil spills, ballast water transfers, and marine pollution. The sector pursues decarbonization through slow steaming, energy efficiency measures, alternative fuels, and advanced propulsion and digital optimization.