Around 70 percent of the Earth's surface is covered by seawater. Our oceans not only play a central role in climate research and provide sensitive ecosystems for numerous organisms, but are also a source of valuable resources and raw materials that need to be used sustainably. The exploration of the oceans and, in particular, looking into the depths has always presented mankind with great challenges, but is developing rapidly in the course of technological progress. We are now opening up ever more remote regions and innovative technologies are also increasingly opening up new opportunities on the water, such as the use of offshore wind turbines for clean energy generation or the development of climate-friendly and digital shipping. Maritime shipping transports 90 percent of our goods worldwide with around 3 percent_{CO2 (1)} and is the backbone of our globalized Buisness. The key technologies developed in the maritime industry are of systemic importance for strategic security.

In Schleswig-Holstein, the maritime industry is an important driving force with an annual turnover of around 10.7 billion euros, employing at least 30,300 people in over 2,100 companies - that is three percent of the workforce in Schleswig-Holstein₍₂₎. Despite a difficult global market environment, the sub-sectors remain industries of the future: maritime shipping, ports, shipbuilding and the shipbuilding supply industry, marine technology, offshore wind energy and maritime research and development. The future viability of the industry depends heavily on the development of new climate-neutral and digital technologies and marketable innovations. The ability to develop and process entire value chains is a decisive competitive factor. Kiel University of Applied Sciences relies on the collaboration of diverse expertise from its six departments.