EC Approves German Training Aid to Seafarers

The European Commission (EC) authorized Germany to help maritime shipping companies finance the training of seafarers. The financial contribution will be allocated providing seafarers are trained on board of ships entered in the German register of sea-going vessels. European citizens qualify for the training grant if they are trained as additional crew members on a merchant ship suitable for training purposes. The objective is to improve seafarers' skills in Germany. The German aid scheme aims at safeguarding and developing European maritime expertise and skills in line with the objectives and principles outlined in the 1997 Community guidelines on State aid to maritime transport. The Commission considers that the aid is non-discriminatory, transparent, and compatible with European competition rules.