Full steam ahead!
The German Flag has many advantages - and it keeps getting better: More service, less bureaucracy and a course set with our customers in mind. Find out more about the progress we have made.
1/27
Average wages
Average wages are abolished on 1 January 2027. This means shipping companies can use the same wage calculation tools for seafarers as they use for their shoreside employees.
8/26
Customer agency
The German Flag conducts a market exploration process for a private agency to further improve its customer service.
7/26
Registration requirement
Shipping companies are no longer required to register and deregister their seafarers at the resident registration office. The relevant regulation was deleted from the Federal Act on Registration.
6/26
MediSee App
The bilingual MediSee App assists seafarers and lay rescuers free-of-charge during medical emergencies on board.
4/25
Service Team
The new Service Team is available to you 24/7 for all questions or issues concerning the German Flag - Across agencies, competent, quick.
6/24
Checks on Board
The German Flag supports shipping companies and crews in their preparation for upcoming port state control inspections with "Checks on Board" and the newsletter "PSC Awareness".
4/22
Digital logbook
The German Flag approves the first electronic maritime logbook.
2/19
Diving surveys
The German Flag permits diving/underwater surveys of ship hulls even without a class notation.
1/17
Non-wage labour costs
Shipping companies can have all of the employer's contributions to the statutory social security reimbursed for their EU seafarers on German-flagge merchant ships.
7/16
Ship's manning
Instead of 4 EU ship officers, only 1 EU ship officer is required on larger German-flagged ships; the ship's mechanic is not mandatory anymore.
6/16
Wage tax deduction in favour of employers
Shipping companies do not have to pay wage tax to the tax office for their seafarers on German-flagged merchant ships (increase from 40% deduction to 100%)
4/16
Maritime Hotline
The German Flag starts their Maritime Hotline.
1/15
Digital ship certificates
The German Flag issues the first digital ship certificates for national voyages. Nowadays, all ship certificates issued by the German Flag are digital.
9/13
Visa
Seafarers from third countries (Non-EU) do not require a visa to work onboard a German-flagged ship.
8/13
Muster procedure
The muster procedure for seafarers and the mandatory seaman's book are abolished.
Hours of work and rest
The international standard of minimum rest hours applies on board German-flagged ships when the ship is calling at several ports in close succession.
Health and safety
Monitoring of occupational health and safety on German-flagged ships lies solely in the purview of the BG Verkehr; the occupational health and safety offices are no longer responsible.
Medical fitness for sea-service
The German Flag recognizes foreign medical fitness certificates if they comply with STCW regulations.
4/13
Website
The inter-agency website www.deutsche-flagge.de is launched and offers all important information concerning the German Flag at one glance.
1/11
Additional standards
Additional German safety standards (e.g. a separate emergency exit from the engine control room) are abolished as the former UVV See is discontinued.
