Deutsche Seemannsmission

What Deutsche Seemannsmission does

Deutsche Seemannsmission Kiel e.V. is a non-profit charitable organization founded in 1898, providing welfare, pastoral care, accommodation, and practical support to international seafarers calling at the ports of Kiel, Rendsburg, and Flensburg in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The organization is the Kiel station of the broader Deutsche Seemannsmission network (16 inland stations across Germany and 22 international stations coordinated via the Fachverband der deutschen Seemannsmission e.V. in Bremen), and operates under a formal mandate from the Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in Norddeutschland, which subsidizes personnel costs in exchange for delivery of missionary-diakonal services to seafarers and their families regardless of nationality, religion, or social status. Services include ship visits (Bordbesuche), pastoral care, hospital visits, emergency assistance, and crisis intervention for cases such as stranded or unpaid crews.

The core service portfolio is physical and welfare-oriented rather than technology-driven: two Seemannsheime provide accommodation — the Seemannsheim auf der Schleuse (Maklerstraße 9, Kiel-Wik) records more than 1,000 overnight stays per year from seafarers of over 40 nationalities, and the Seemannsheim Kiel-Holtenau (Kanalstraße 64) serves crews transiting the Kiel Canal locks; the Seafarers' Lounge at the Ostseekai cruise terminal offers cruise ship crews free WiFi, telephone cards, food, and daily necessities during ship calls; and the Baltic Poller at the Ostuferhafen functions as an outreach contact point. The Weihnachten am Ohr program distributes approximately 400 telephone cards annually to enable seafarers to call home at Christmas, and a weekly Paket-Zustellservice delivers personal parcels to cruise ship crews. There is no proprietary technology stack, software product, or AI/ML capability — the organization operates with a website, a Facebook page, and traditional service-delivery workflows.

The business model is donation-dependent and non-commercial. Revenue streams include individual and corporate donations (Förde Sparkasse Kiel is the primary bank account), personnel cost subsidies from the Landeskirchen, voluntary Schiffahrtsabgaben from shipping companies, membership dues, capital grants from the ITF Seafarers Trust (for specific projects such as minibuses and Seafarers' Clubs), and modest retail sales of telephone cards (€10 per card), souvenirs, and daily necessities through the Seafarers' Lounge. Accommodation is provided free or at nominal cost. The organization is staffed by a small mix of paid full-time Diakone/Seemannsdiakone and a large volunteer base including retired pilots, naval officers, and former seafarers; the Seemannspastor/Stationsleitung position is currently vacant and being recruited. Governance is by a volunteer board chaired by Jens-Uwe Matzen, with Olaf Hartmann as deputy, Jochen Hinz as treasurer, and board members Sonja Baydas and Ute Burchards.

Name

Deutsche Seemannsmission

Legal name

Deutsche Seemannsmission Kiel e.V.

Website

https://deutsche-seemannsmission-kiel.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1898

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Deutsche Seemannsmission Kiel e.V. is a non-profit founded in 1898 providing pastoral care, accommodation, and welfare services to international seafarers in the ports of Kiel, Rendsburg, and Flensburg, operating under the Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in Norddeutschland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Seafarer Welfare Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883), Port and Harbor Operations (48831)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAKAEAE

Shore Excursion & Port Services Operators

Travel & Hospitality/Travel Agencies, Tour Operators & OTAs/Local Tour Operators & Destination Services (DMCs)

Keywords

• Seafarer welfare services
• Maritime pastoral care
• Seafarer accommodation services
• Port chaplaincy support
• Maritime charity services

Headquarters

HQ city

Kiel

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Sponsorships: The organization relies heavily on donations from individuals, companies in the maritime industry, and the Nautische Vereine (Nautical Associations). Donations can be made to their bank account at Förde Sparkasse Kiel. The organization also receives support from corporate sponsors and friends in the maritime economy.
2. Church Funding: The organization receives personnel cost subsidies from the Landeskirchen (regional Protestant churches), annual collection proceeds from church districts, and is associated with the Evangelisch-Lutherische Kirche in Norddeutschland (Northern German Lutheran Church).
3. Voluntary Shipping Fees: Reedereien (shipping companies) provide voluntary shipping fees (Schiffahrtsabgaben) to support the organization's work.
4. Membership Fees: The organization accepts members who pay membership dues. Membership application forms are available on the website.
5. Sales of Goods: The Seafarers' Lounge sells souvenirs, daily necessities, telephone cards, and food items to seafarers at affordable prices.
6. ITF Seafarers Trust: The International Transport Workers' Federation Seafarers Trust sponsors investments for Seafarers' Clubs and minibuses.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Deutsche Seemannsmission Kiel e.V. operates as a faith-based charitable organization providing pastoral care, accommodation, and practical welfare services to international seafarers visiting the ports of Kiel, Rendsburg, and Flensburg. The organization runs two seafarers' homes (Seemannsheime) for overnight stays, the Seafarers' Lounge at the cruise terminal for crew support, mobile ship visits, hospital visits, and assistance in emergencies. All services are delivered regardless of nationality, religion, or social status under the mission "Support of Seafarers' dignity."

Product overview

Deutsche Seemannsmission Kiel is a charitable organization providing welfare services for seafarers, operating as a network of facilities and programs rather than a traditional product company. The core offerings include two seafarer homes (Seemannsheim auf der Schleuse and Seemannsheim Kiel Holtenau) for accommodation, the Seafarers' Lounge at the cruise terminal for crew support, and mobile services through ship visits (Bordbesuche). Additional services encompass hospital visits for seafarers requiring medical treatment, pastoral care (Seelsorge), emergency assistance, the Weihnachten am Ohr phone card donation program, and a package delivery service for cruise ship crews. All services are provided regardless of nationality, religion, or social status, with the mission statement 'Support of Seafarers' dignity'.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Seemannsheim auf der Schleuse: Seafarers' home located at the lock in Kiel-Wik offering accommodation, communal rooms, and services for seafarers.
• Seemannsheim Kiel-Holtenau
• Seafarers' Lounge
• Baltic Poller

Products and services

• Seemannsheim auf der Schleuse Seafarers' home at Maklerstraße 9, 24159 Kiel offering overnight stays and temporary housing for seafarers from over 40 nations visiting or transiting Kiel, with cozy rooms and communal spaces.
• Seemannsheim Kiel-Holtenau Seafarers' home near the Kiel-Holtenau lighthouse at Kanalstraße 64, offering accommodation for seafarers waiting for ships or transiting the canal, with conference facilities for up to 20 persons and the Simon-Petrus-Hauskapelle chapel.
• Seafarers' Lounge at Ostseekai Facility at the Kiel Ostseekai cruise terminal providing cruise ship crew members with free WiFi, food from their home countries, telephone cards, daily-use articles, souvenirs, and conversation and support during port calls from 10:00 to 14:30.
• Bordbesuche (Ship Visits) On-board visits where staff and volunteers go directly to ships in the ports of Kiel, Rendsburg, and Flensburg to provide seafarers with telephone cards, multilingual newspapers, festive holiday visits, and personal problem-solving assistance.
• Krankenhausbesuche (Hospital Visits) Support service for crew members who must leave the ship for stationary hospital treatment in Kiel, providing personal visits and assistance during difficult times away from family and ship.
• Seelsorge und persönliche Zuwendung (Pastoral Care) Spiritual support including worship services, pastoral counseling, blessings, and personal care for seafarers regardless of origin, religion, or social status.
• Hilfe in besonderen Situationen (Assistance in Special Situations) Support services for seafarers in difficult situations including medical accompaniment, hospital visits, conflict resolution, emergency assistance, and help with government agency visits.
• Paket-Zustellservice (Package Delivery Service) Weekly parcel delivery service for cruise ship crews at the Ostuferhafen, receiving packages from shipping providers and delivering them to crew members who have no shopping opportunities during short port stays.
• Weihnachten am Ohr telephone card program Annual donation campaign providing seafarers with telephone cards during the holiday season so they can call their families, distributing approximately 400 cards annually at a price of 10 Euros each.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1000+ overnight stays annually from seafarers of 40+ nations at the Seemannsheim on the Schleuse
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Lotsenbrüderschaft Nord-Ostseekanal II / Kiel / Lübeck / FlensburgcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe pilots' guild is a regular financial supporter of the Seemannsmission Kiel. They provide ongoing funding support for the organization's operations and services to seafarers.
• Nautischer Verein zu Kiel von 1869 e.V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Nautical Association of Kiel was instrumental in the founding of the Seemannsmission Kiel in 1898. They continue to provide financial support and are part of the Captains' Circle and supporter group.
• Sartori & BergercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA shipping company and maritime services provider that provides regular financial support to the Seemannsmission Kiel's work with seafarers.
• UCA - United Canal Agency GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCanal agency company providing regular financial support to the Seemannsmission Kiel.
• Verein der Kanalsteurer e.V. Kiel-HoltenauminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation of canal pilots that provides regular financial support to the Seemannsmission Kiel.
• Förde Sparkasse KielcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe regional savings bank generously supported the modernization of the kitchen at the Seemannsheim on the Schleuse, bringing it to modern hygiene and technical standards. The bank's support enables the organization to maintain its facilities.
• International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe umbrella organization connecting all Christian denominations operating Seemannsmission worldwide. Deutsche Seemannsmission Kiel is a member. ICMA provides a forum for exchange of experiences, supports efficient cooperation, and ensures training of trainees.
• International Maritime Organisation (IMO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICMA works closely with the IMO to improve seafarers' living conditions, legal frameworks, and safety standards on board through proposals and recommendations.
• International Labour Organisation (ILO)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerICMA collaborates with the ILO on issues affecting seafarers' rights and working conditions.
• International Transport Federation (ITF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe International Transport Workers' Federation provides financial support to the Deutsche Seemannsmission and works with the organization to address seafarer welfare issues, wage theft, and abandonment.
• DRK (Deutsches Rotes Kreuz / German Red Cross)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with the Seemannsmission to help provide food supplies to stranded seafarers on the Russian freighter 'Volna' who had not received wages for months and had no food.
• Seemannsclub Duckdalben HamburgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Hamburg seafarers' club provides telephone cards at discounted rates which the Kiel Seemannsmission purchases and resells at affordable prices to seafarers.
• Nordelbische Evangelisch Lutherische KirchecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Northern German Lutheran Church provides personnel cost subsidies for full-time staff. The organization takes on the missionary-diakonal service to seafarers and their families on behalf of the church.
• Finnish ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Finnish Church collaborates with the Seemannsmission, using the former 'Kinderhotel' in Lübeck as accommodation for truck drivers.
• NDR (Norddeutscher Rundfunk)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe German public broadcaster covered the Seafarers' Lounge in July 2024 on Schleswig-Holstein Magazin, providing media exposure for the organization's work.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Apostleship of the Sea (Stella Maris International): Global Catholic seafarers' welfare organization with port chaplaincy networks worldwide. Direct international peer offering equivalent ship-visit and welfare services through affiliated Catholic port missions.
• Stella Maris (Katholische Seemannsmission Deutschland): Catholic counterpart to the Protestant Deutsche Seemannsmission in Germany. Provides identical ship-visit, accommodation, and pastoral care services for seafarers, serving the same customer base under a different denomination.
• Norwegian Seamen's Church (Sjømannskirken): Norwegian-based seafarers' welfare organization with churches and clubs in major global ports providing similar welfare, communication, and pastoral services. Direct functional peer with international footprint.
• Seamen's Church Institute (New York): Historic US-based seafarers' welfare organization offering hotel accommodation, ship-visit, and recreation services. Closest American counterpart operating the same faith-based welfare model for visiting crews.
• Mission to Seafarers (UK): Anglican international seafarers' welfare charity with Flying Angel centres offering similar accommodation, communication, and pastoral services. Closest UK/Anglican counterpart to DSM Kiel's service model.
• Seemannsclub Duckdalben Hamburg: Named partner of DSM Kiel, Duckdalben is a Hamburg-based seafarers' welfare club providing similar ship-visit, lounge, and welfare services. Direct functional equivalent within the German seafarer welfare network.
• Deutsche Seemannsmission e.V. (Fachverband, Bremen): Parent association of DSM Kiel with 22 international stations. Operates the same model of ship visits, accommodation, and pastoral care across global ports, providing identical services at greater scale.

Others

• International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN): Umbrella organization coordinating welfare services to seafarers globally. Connected via ICMA membership; provides coordination, training, and standards rather than direct services, but is the industry's central networking body.
• ITF Seafarers Trust: Funded by DSM Kiel to sponsor investments in Seafarers' Clubs and minibuses. Functions as a major financial backer rather than a service peer, but is structurally tied to the welfare ecosystem.
• ICMA - International Christian Maritime Association: Umbrella organization of Christian seafarers' welfare providers of which DSM Kiel is a member. Coordinates ICMA's advocacy with IMO and ILO and standardizes member training.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DeutscheSeemannsmissionKiel
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/deutsche-seemannsmission-kiel-e.v.

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Deutsche Seemannsmission