Harbor Launch Conversion Program

This funding program targets owners and authorized users of harbor launches and comparable passenger ships that are approved for commercial passenger transport in Hamburg Port and use the Speicherstadt route. It supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), self-employed individuals, other commercially active persons, associations, and private individuals with their main office or primary residence in Hamburg, to enable the adaptation of their ships to the altered conditions of the Speicherstadt and secure the use of these characteristic waterways. The overarching goal is to ensure the navigability of the canals in the Speicherstadt and preserve the historic harbor launches.

The program promotes specific conversion measures for harbor launches and comparable passenger ships aimed at reducing their air draft or increasing their draft to ensure the navigability of the Speicherstadt route. This includes a variety of technical adaptations and one-time planning services.

The program offers a non-repayable grant of up to 80 percent of the eligible total costs, limited to a maximum of 60,000 EUR per project. Approval is granted as a one-time project funding, based on the estimated procurement costs.

Funding is subject to several conditions, including the requirement that projects have not yet started, ensuring overall financing, and compliance with specific De minimis aid rules. Furthermore, all conversion measures must comply with valid legal requirements, and cumulation with other state funding programs is excluded.

The application for funding must be submitted to the Hamburgische Investitions- und Förderbank (IFB Hamburg) on its form before the start of the measure. Approval follows a review of completeness and eligibility, with the disbursement of funds occurring in a lump sum only after the completion of the conversion work and successful submission of the proof of use.

The funding program is based on the "Funding Guideline for the Conversion of Approved Harbor Launches Using the Speicherstadt Route" dated December 1, 2019, which defines the legal framework and objectives. In addition, the regulations of the EU De minimis Regulation and the Household Budget Ordinance of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg apply.