(L-R) The coordinator for the Maritime Industry of the German government Christoph Ploss, Secretary of State for economy Gitta Connemann, Lower Saxony's State Premier Olaf Lies, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, German Economy and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche, German Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder and Emden's mayor Tim Kruithoff pose on stage for a family photo during the German National Maritime Conference in Emden, northern Germany, on April 29, 2026. The National Maritime Conference (NMK) is the Federal Government's central event for supporting the maritime industry, attended by around 800 representatives from business, politics and science, and has established itself as a driver of new ideas and a platform for exchange. It has been held every two years since 2000. (Photo by FOCKE STRANGMANN / AFP via Getty Images)