Schiffer-Berufskolleg RHEIN

What Schiffer-Berufskolleg RHEIN does

Schiffer-Berufskolleg RHEIN (SBKR) is a public vocational college (Berufskolleg) located at Bürgermeister-Wendel-Platz 1 in Duisburg, Germany, operated by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia under the Schulministerium NRW. It is one of Europe's largest inland shipping schools and one of only three schools in Germany offering a boat building specialization. The school delivers approximately 3–3.5 year dual vocational training programs in inland navigation (Binnenschiffer/in and Binnenschifffahrtskapitän/in), port logistics (Fachkraft für Hafenlogistik), and boat building (Bootsbauer/in), plus an eight-semester dual study Bachelor of Science in Ship and Port Operations with Jade University of Applied Sciences. Apprentices are placed through cooperative agreements with 25+ inland shipping operators, shipyards, port logistics firms, and boat builders across German-speaking Europe, living on-board the training ship Schulschiff RHEIN during their formation.

The school's technical platform is anchored by the SANDRA II shallow water and radar simulator, running Wärtsilä NT Pro 5000 software, which received Germany's first certification as a fully-fledged shallow water and radar simulator in September 2024. Supporting infrastructure includes an engine laboratory with functional ship engines and rudder systems, a tank ship training section with a real loading arm, and wood/metal processing workshops. In February 2026 SBKR coupled its SANDRA II simulator with the University of Craiova's (UCV) Wärtsilä NT Pro 5000 system for cross-location international training, a first in European inland navigation education. The school also participates in the federal-funded COBOTANK project (collaborative robot arm for tank ship loading) and the EU ARIELL Erasmus+ project.

SBKR's revenue model is that of a publicly funded educational institution: tuition is free at the point of use, and operating funding flows from the state education budget of North Rhine-Westphalia, supplemented by a Freundes- und Förderkreis friends-and-sponsors association for projects outside state funding. The go-to-market motion is community- and event-driven recruiting through the annual Shipping – Technics – Logistics trade fair in Kalkar, the boot trade fair for boat builder graduations, and the dual-training partner network that channels apprentices into the school. Leadership comprises Headmaster Marcus Hoffmann and Deputy Angelika Voit; the school is not a commercial entity and does not publish revenue.

Name

Schiffer-Berufskolleg RHEIN

Legal name

Schiffer-Berufskolleg RHEIN

Website

https://schiffer-bk.de

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Schiffer-Berufskolleg RHEIN is a public vocational college in Duisburg, Germany, that trains apprentices in inland shipping, port logistics, and boat building through dual education programs with 25+ industry partners, anchored by the first Germany-certified SANDRA II shallow water and radar simulator.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education (Inland Shipping, Port Logistics and Boat Building)

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Navigation, Seamanship & Offshore Operations (EDAOANAE)

Keywords

• Inland shipping education
• Vocational boat building
• Port logistics training
• Maritime simulator training
• Dual vocational education

Headquarters

HQ city

Duisburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Vocational Education Funding: Publicly funded vocational education institution in Germany, funded by the state government. Provides dual training programs in partnership with companies.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Schiffer-Berufskolleg RHEIN is a public vocational school (Berufskolleg) in Duisburg, Germany, offering dual training programs in inland shipping (Binnenschifffahrt), port logistics (Hafenlogistik), and boat building (Bootsbau). Programs prepare apprentices for inland skipper, inland navigation captain (Union Patent), port logistics professional, and boat builder qualifications, supported by specialized facilities including the SANDRA II shallow water and radar simulator, engine laboratory, tank ship training section, and wood/metal workshops.

Product overview

Schiffer-Berufskolleg RHEIN is a vocational college offering specialized training programs in inland navigation, port logistics, and boat building. The institution provides four main vocational training programs: Binnenschiffer/in (Inland Skipper), Binnenschifffahrtskapitän/in (Inland Navigation Captain), Fachkraft für Hafenlogistik (Port Logistics Professional), and Bootsbauer/in (Boat Builder). Supported by modern training facilities including the SANDRA II shallow water and radar simulator, an engine laboratory, tank ship section, and wood/metal processing workshops, the school delivers practical, hands-on education. A dual study pathway with Jade University of Applied Sciences combines vocational training with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ship and Port Operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Binnenschiffer/in (Inland Skipper) Training Program Vocational training program preparing students for the inland navigation skipper examination, covering European waterways, ship engine operation, rescue techniques, and navigation simulation training.
• Binnenschifffahrtskapitän/in (Inland Navigation Captain) Training Program Advanced training program leading to the Union Patent, qualifying graduates to command inland vessels on most European waterways. Covers navigation, ship operations, cargo handling, and crew management.
• Fachkraft für Hafenlogistik (Port Logistics Professional) Training Program Three-year dual training program for goods handling in sea and inland ports, including logistics coordination, cargo inspection, transport planning, and warehouse organization.
• Bootsbauer/in (Boat Builder) Training Program 3.5-year vocational training in boat construction, repair, and maintenance, covering wood, metal, and plastic materials, including theoretical instruction at the school.
• Dual Study Program (Ships and Port Operations with Jade University) Eight-semester Bachelor of Science program in Ship and Port Operations offered in partnership with Jade University of Applied Sciences in Elsfleth, combining academic study with practical vocational training.
• SANDRA II Shallow Water and Radar Simulator One of Europe's most modern shallow water driving and radar simulators (Wärtsilä NT Pro 5000), providing realistic practice scenarios on national and international waterways; first Germany-certified facility of its kind.

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NaviBarging S.a.R.l.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 March 2026Luxembourg-based partner hosting ARIELL project meeting in Wasserbillig; organized the first pre-pilot workshop with learners from University of Craiova and SBKR
• Neue Ruhrort SchiffswerftminorOthersShipping company partner listed in the school's partner showcase section
• Rössler LinieminorOthersShipping line partner listed in the school's partner showcase section
• MSG eGminorOthersCooperative partner listed in the school's partner showcase section
• Port of SwitzerlandminorOthersSwiss port partner listed in the school's partner showcase section
• Hulskens Wasserbau GmbH & Co. KGminorOthersWater engineering partner listed in the school's partner showcase section
• Stern und Kreisschiffahrt GmbHminorOthersShipping company partner listed in the school's partner showcase section
• DTG (Deutsche Transport Gesellschaft)minorOthersTransport company partner listed in the school's partner showcase section
• Kölner Schiffswerft Deutz GmbH & Co. KGminorOthersShipyard partner listed in the school's partner showcase section
• Haeger & Schmidt LogisticsminorOthersLogistics company partner listed in the school's partner showcase section
• Kadlec & Brödlin GmbHminorOthersPartner company listed in the school's partner showcase section
• Duisburger Hafen AG (duisport)minorOthersPort operator partner listed in the school's partner showcase section
• Krieger GebrminorOthersTransport company partner listed in the school's partner showcase section
• Reederei Jaegers GmbHminorOthersShipping company partner listed in the school's partner showcase section
• River Nautical GmbHminorOthersNautical services partner listed in the school's partner showcase section
• B. Dettmer Reederei GmbH & Co. KGminorOthersShipping company partner listed in the school's partner showcase section
• Ausbildungsinitiative Binnenschiffahrt e.V.minorOthersTraining initiative for inland shipping listed in partner showcase
• Reich SchifffahrtsbetriebeminorOthersShipping operations partner listed in the school's partner showcase section
• MAINTANK SchiffahrtsgesellschaftminorOthersTanker shipping company partner listed in partner showcase
• Fluvia AGminorOthersShipping company partner listed in the school's partner showcase section
• HGK ShippingminorOthersShipping company partner listed in the school's partner showcase section
• Köln-Düsseldorfer Deutsche Rheinschiffahrt GmbHminorOthersPassenger shipping company partner listed in partner showcase
• BKS Binnenschiffahrtskontor Sommerfeld GmbHminorOthersShipping company partner listed in the school's partner showcase section
• KROLL Schiffahrt GmbHminorOthersShipping company partner listed in the school's partner showcase section
• Schlepp- und Fahrgesellschaft Kiel mbH (SFK)minorOthersTowing and transport company partner listed in partner showcase
• Rhenus PartnerShip GmbH & Co. KGminorOthersLogistics company partner listed in the school's partner showcase section
• Jade Hochschule (Jade University of Applied Sciences)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner offering dual study program 'Ships and Port Operations' combining academic degree with practical inland shipping or port logistics training
• Schulschiff RHEIN (Training Ship RHEIN)coreOthersSchool ship providing floating accommodation for trainees, strengthening team spirit and providing practical on-board learning environment
• EDINNAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean inland navigation training network partner for maintaining contacts with other vocational schools across Europe
• DST - Entwicklungszentrum für Schiffstechnik und Transportsysteme e. V.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment center for ship technology and transport systems providing research collaboration, shallow water simulator SANDRA II, and hosting COBOTANK project events
• ESD - Europäisches Sicherheitszentrum Duisburg am Schiffer-Berufskolleg RHEIN e. V.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Safety Center contributing expertise to COBOTANK project at the school
• Universität Craiova (UCV)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRomanian university partner in ARIELL Erasmus+ project; successfully coupled Wärtsilä NT Pro 5000 simulators with SBKR for international cross-location training

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• NaviBarging S.a.R.L. Luxembourg-based inland-navigation services and training partner in the ARIELL project hosting cross-border workshops for SBKR and UCV apprentices. Comparable function in the Moselle region as a complementary inland-navigation training provider.
• DST - Entwicklungszentrum für Schiffstechnik und Transportsysteme: Duisburg-based applied research centre that provides the SANDRA II shallow-water simulator, hosts COBOTANK events, and operates as a critical upstream technology and R&D partner for SBKR's training infrastructure.
• EDINNA (European Development Inland Navigation Training Network): Thematic network coordinating European inland-navigation vocational standards and curricula. Functions as a peer-network connector for SBKR rather than a competitor, but influences the regulatory and curriculum framework within which SBKR operates.

Direct peers

• Maritiem Instituut Willem Barentsz: Dutch maritime vocational school delivering seafarer and inland-waterway training with simulator facilities, directly comparable to SBKR's inland-navigation apprenticeship model and target apprentice demographic.
• Antwerp Maritime Academy (Hogere Zeevaartschool Antwerpen): Belgian maritime training institution providing navigation and nautical vocational programmes on inland and maritime waterways, offering a cross-border alternative for inland-navigation apprentices that competes for talent in the Rhine basin.
• STC Group: Dutch maritime, logistics and technology vocational education group operating comparable inland-waterway and port training programmes, including simulator-based courses. Closest international functional peer for SBKR's Binnenschifffahrt and Hafenlogistik tracks.

Broad incumbents

• Fachhochschule des Bundes - Fachbereich Seefahrt (FB SE): German federal university for public-service maritime careers (e.g., Wasserstraßen- und Schifffahrtsverwaltung). Provides higher-tier nautical and inland-navigation training for federal employees that overlaps with SBKR's Union-Patent captain pathway.
• Jade Hochschule Wilhelmshaven/Oldenburg/Elsfleth: Active SBKR dual-study partner and a broader German applied-sciences university with substantial maritime, shipping, and port-operations departments. Overlaps with SBKR on higher-education pathways and inland-navigation research even as a larger institution.
• Hochschule Wismar - University of Applied Sciences: German university with longstanding maritime, shipping, and inland-navigation faculties including simulator infrastructure, operating at a broader scale than SBKR in higher maritime education while addressing a similar Rhine-Baltic catchment.

Regional players

• Universitatea din Craiova: Romanian university whose Wärtsilä NT Pro 5000 simulator was internationally coupled with SBKR's SANDRA II in February 2026. Comparable function (transport/nautical faculty with simulator) for the Danube basin, with whom SBKR co-delivers cross-location training.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/schiffer-berufskolleg-rhein

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Schiffer-Berufskolleg RHEIN