BG Verkehr / Dienststelle Schiffssicherheit
Brandstwiete 1
20457 Hamburg

Phone: +49 40 361 37-0
Fax: +49 40 36137-204
Mail: schiffssicherheit@bg-verkehr.de

Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie
Bernhard-Nocht-Straße 78
20359 Hamburg

Phone: +49 40 31 90-0
Fax: +49 40 3190-5000
Mail: posteingang@bsh.de

Types of ships

Wide variety of ship types

Ocean shipping has many facets. The range spreads from large containerships to ferries operating in sheltered waters and to open fishing boats of 8 m length.

On board ships the law of the flag state applies. On ships under the German flag this corresponds almost completely to the international minimum standards adopted by the International Maritime Organisation IMO and by the International Labour Organisation ILO.

Furthermore, each ship type has its special features and regulations. While cargo ships operating world wide are mainly subject to international law, recreational craft and historic ships are mostly regulated by German law.

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