Welcome to WSV (Herzlich willkommen bei der WSV)
The ship/waterway/port system is an important element of the transport infrastructure.
On an international scale, it must be efficient and meet high safety standards. This ensures that shipping and other maritime-related industries can hold their own in international competition.
The Wasserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsverwaltung des Bundes (WSV) is part of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI). The WSV is divided into the Directorate-General for Roads and Shipping (GDWS) based in Bonn and the Wasserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsämter and the Wasserstraßen-Neubauämter in the regions.
We operate and maintain the federal waterways and the associated facilities (locks, wehre, ship lifts, bridges, etc.) and expand them as required in order to enable smooth-flowing and therefore economical shipping traffic. We also advise, support and direct shipping traffic through our specialist staff in the traffic and district control centers.
Our mission: to enable mobility and protect the environment!
The federal waterways include around 7.300 km of inland waterways and 23.000 km³ of sea waterways. For inland federal waterways that are of little or no importance for the transportation of goods, development concepts are currently being drawn up for the future of these waterways.