Schifffahrtsgesetz

The Schifffahrtsgesetz (Shipping Act) is a German federal law that regulates the operation of ships and other watercraft on German waters. It is part of the German Waterways and Shipping Code (Wasserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsgesetzbuch, WSchG) and was last amended in 2019. The primary objective of the Schifffahrtsgesetz is to ensure the safety and efficiency of waterway traffic, protect the environment, and promote the economic use of waterways.

The law applies to all ships and other watercraft, including pleasure craft, commercial vessels, and military ships. It covers various aspects of shipping, such as the licensing and registration of ships, the operation of ships, the prevention of pollution, and the enforcement of safety regulations. The Schifffahrtsgesetz also establishes the framework for the administration of German waterways, including the maintenance and development of waterways infrastructure.

The German Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSA) is responsible for the enforcement of the Schifffahrtsgesetz. The WSA issues licenses and certificates for ships, inspects ships to ensure compliance with safety regulations, and investigates accidents and incidents on German waterways. The WSA also works with other national and international organizations to promote the safe and efficient use of German waterways.

The Schifffahrtsgesetz is an essential piece of legislation for the safe and efficient operation of ships and other watercraft on German waterways. It ensures the protection of the environment, promotes economic use of waterways, and establishes the framework for the administration of German waterways.