In light of the current geopolitical situation, NATO is undergoing strategic realignment. This includes, among other things, stronger integration between military and civilian institutions – such as the German Navy and the General Directorate for Waterways and Shipping (GDWS).
A corresponding agreement on civil-military cooperation was signed by the German Navy and the GDWS. The agreement regulates cooperation in managing civilian maritime traffic on German sea routes – potentially also in the event of national or collective defense, in accordance with the “Germany Operations Plan.”
Against the backdrop of NATO’s strategic realignment, this new agreement updates procedures for supplying Germany via sea and redefines the working relationship between the GDWS traffic control centers and the Navy’s Maritime Shipping Command.
A key component of national defense capability
The importance of this agreement was emphasized by the signatories: Vice Admiral Jan Christian Kaack, Inspector of the German Navy, and Eric Oehlmann, Head of the GDWS.
“This agreement is a key component of our national defense capability and security preparedness. It clearly defines responsibilities and procedures between the Navy’s Maritime Shipping Command and the GDWS. In an emergency, we will be able to provide binding instructions to commercial ships on when and where they may travel along German waterways or access German ports – or even when they should assemble into a convoy,” said the Navy Inspector.
The head of the GDWS also stressed the importance of the agreement: “Together, we ensure that maritime traffic on our sea routes remains safe, reliable, and coordinated. We jointly strengthen our ability to ensure supply continuity – even under challenging conditions, whether in day-to-day operations or in exceptional situations.”
Part of the detailed planning defined in the agreement includes setting traffic priorities along Germany’s coastlines during crises or conflicts. As such, the agreement significantly impacts Germany’s role as a logistics hub and affects NATO’s overall logistical planning. On a strategic level, this civil-military cooperation touches not only on military logistics but also the civilian population’s supply chains.
Navy’s liaison to the civilian maritime sector
The cooperation agreement was preceded by an interdepartmental agreement between the two responsible federal ministries – the Federal Ministry for Transport and the Federal Ministry of Defense – signed on February 19, 2025.
In accordance with the agreement, the GDWS traffic centers and the Navy’s Maritime Shipping Command have been improving their cooperation even in peacetime. This includes, for example, the mutual use of infrastructure and joint training initiatives. The routine established through this cooperation is intended to enhance collaboration during crisis situations and in times of tension or defense.
Through its nine traffic control centers, the GDWS monitors, supports, and regulates maritime traffic on inland waterways and designated sea areas within Germany’s territorial waters and Exclusive Economic Zone. The Maritime Shipping Command serves as the Navy’s liaison to the civilian maritime sector. Its personnel consists of a core of active service members and civilian staff, supported by a pool of over one hundred reservists.
