The Travemünde Traffic Centre is launching a three-year experiment: in future, English will be the main language used in radio communications. This is due to safety concerns following maritime accidents in which language barriers played a role. But anyone who now thinks they need to brush up on their English can sit back and relax. German will continue to be spoken.
Do you speak English?
This is a question that some skippers on the River Trave are likely to be asking themselves from 1 June 2026. This is because the Baltic Sea Waterways and Shipping Authority (WSA) is launching an unusual pilot project: "Trave Traffic" will communicate primarily in English for the next three years. This will only affect vessels on the Trave or with a destination on the Trave.
What sounds like an unusual experiment has a serious background: in various German coastal areas, language barriers have proved to be a favourable factor in maritime accidents. Information was lost or received in a distorted form. As English is usually spoken on commercial shipping bridges anyway, the aim is now to test whether direct English communication increases safety. This is because it allows the entire bridge crew to listen in and cross-check - the "four-ears principle" and a clear flow of information.
The project will initially be tested, then observed and subsequently analysed to determine whether English as an area language can help to further improve shipping safety in the long term and across the board.
The WSA's intention is not to restrict road users. Rather, it explicitly states: "In emergencies and special cases, the language to be used is that which is most appropriate for averting danger!"
Stay relaxed: pleasure craft continue to radio in German
A sigh of relief for all those whose school English is a little rusty: the project initially only affects vessels subject to registration in accordance with Section 58 SeeSchStrO - i.e. mainly commercial shipping. When asked to what extent recreational boaters are also affected, the WSA explains: "In principle, this does not result in any mandatory changes for recreational boaters. As not all road users need to speak English, the traffic centres will continue to communicate bilingually or exclusively in German depending on the situation, especially with regard to recreational boating, if this is necessary."
Dust off the radio?
If you want to brush up on your marine radio knowledge - whether in German or English - you will find the most important basics here:
Ursula Meer
Redakteurin Panorama und Reise
