A leading member of the Christian Social Union (CSU) parliamentary group has voiced concerns regarding a perceived lack of investment in Germany’s inland waterways, despite the establishment of a special fund intended to bolster infrastructure Stephan Stracke, Vice-President of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, stated that current budgetary allocations appear to exclude substantial funding for these crucial transport routes
Stracke signaled intentions to address the issue during forthcoming budget negotiations, emphasizing the importance of securing adequate resources to meet significant modernization requirements He underscored the vital role of inland waterways to the nation’s economy, placing them on par with road, rail and air transport
The Union aims to advocate for increased funding within the overall transportation budget, arguing that existing plans will lead to underfunding across all modes of transport, even with the special fund in place The party believes that public expectation is for the governing coalition to prioritize improvements to national infrastructure in the years ahead
Industry representatives have echoed these concerns Wolfgang Große Entrup, CEO of the German Chemical Industry Federation, highlighted existing limitations on inland shipping due to low water levels, particularly on the Rhine and the deteriorating state of canal infrastructure He urged timely investment to safeguard this vital transport artery
The criticism isn’t limited to opposition voices Tarek Al-Wazir, a Green party transportation policy spokesperson, also expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed transportation budget He warned that a lack of reliable infrastructure undermines Germany’s competitiveness and that current funding levels are insufficient even to address essential repairs
The debate underscores the growing pressure on the German government to deliver on promises of infrastructure improvements, particularly as concerns mount regarding the reliability and long-term viability of the nation’s waterways