Company portrait
The BSH is a higher federal authority in the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI). It is the public institution for sea-related tasks. This includes tasks such as maritime security, the publication of official nautical charts and surveying tasks in the North Sea and Baltic Sea, as well as the forecasting of tides, water levels and storm surges. In addition, the BSH is responsible for the surveying of ships, flag law, the testing and approval of navigation and radio equipment and the issuing of certificates for seafarers. With regard to construction projects in the North and Baltic Seas, the BSH is responsible for spatial planning and for the inspection and approval of facilities for power generation (offshore wind energy facilities), cables or other installations within the federal government's area of responsibility.
In the service of shipping and the sea, we are a partner who
- supports shipping and the maritime economy,
- strengthens safety and environmental protection,
- promotes sustainable use of the sea,
- ensures continuity of measurements and
- provides competent information on the state of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
In doing so, we focus on safety and environmental protection within the scope of our legal mandate and represent German interests in Europe and internationally.