Federal budget 2025: The federal government is now funding the preservation of traditional ships after all

Maintaining a classic takes a lot of time and money. This can be seen in small things as well as big ones. For example, the maintenance of traditional ships such as the four-masted barque "Passat" in Lübeck-Travemünde costs millions. In order to relieve the financial burden on local authorities and sponsoring organisations, the federal government is planning to provide further support.

Ensuring the preservation and continued operation of traditional ships

According to Bundestag member Bettina Hagedorn (SPD), who is a member of the budget committee, another 5 million euros have now been approved for the preservation and safe operation of traditional ships. This was also reported by Uwe Schmidt, a member of the Bundestag. The Bremen's local magazine "Buten un Binnen", the SPD politician saidthat the number of traditional ships is decreasing and that the funding should help to counteract this.

The fact that the federal government is now providing funding after all comes as a surprise. These were not initially planned in the original draft budget.

As someone from Ostholstein, the preservation of Travemünde's landmark, the 'Viermastbark Passat', is naturally close to my heart, and its condition is also a cause for concern. As a museum ship and popular event venue, it now also falls within the scope of possible federal funding as a traditional ship." Bettina Hagedorn, SPD Member of Parliament

Operators of traditional ships, such as the Hanseatic City of Lübeck, can apply for federal funding.

More about traditional ships:

• Traditional ships: The 10 most important types of sailing ships
• Windjammers: Fleet sets course for SAiL 2025 in Bremerhaven
• Traditional sailing ship: Fyn Round like a hundred years ago

"Public interest" in traditional ships

Whether a ship is considered a traditional ship and can apply for funding depends on the rules of the Ship Safety Ordinance. Accordingly, a traditional ship is a historic ship whose operation is of public interest and which has a safety certificate. According to the responsible federal agency, "maritime tradition maintenance" is about communicating old seafaring techniques and traditions.