NACE 30.1 – Building of Ships and Boats | Public Tenders

NACE 30.1: Authority ships, customs boats and ferries in public tenders. CPV codes for navy, coastguard and waterway authority procurement.

Definition: NACE 30.1 covers the building and repair of ships, boats and floating structures of all kinds — from cruise ships to patrol boats. For the public sector, authority ships, customs boats, coastguard vessels and public ferries are particularly relevant.

Legal basis: NACE Rev. 2 (Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006) · Last updated: April 2026

What does NACE 30.1 cover?

NACE 30.1 (Building of ships and boats) classifies shipyards and shipbuilding companies that build, repair and refit watercraft of all kinds — a highly specialised industry with significant public contracts from the defence, coastguard and public waterborne passenger transport sectors.

Group 30.1 is broken down into the following classes:

Class	Title	Typical Products
30.11	Building of ships and floating structures	Cargo ships, tankers, warships, ferries, research vessels
30.12	Building of pleasure and sporting boats	Sailing yachts, motorboats, rescue boats

Public contracting authorities are the German Navy and Austrian Armed Forces (river forces), Federal Police Maritime, customs administration, waterways and shipping offices, municipal ferry operators, coastguards and research institutions (AWI, BfG).

Public Tenders: Scope of NACE 30.1

Public shipbuilding contracts are among the largest single contracts in European procurement law — frigates, patrol boats and ferries are procurement projects with planning and implementation horizons spanning decades.

Typical Contract Types

Naval vessels: Frigates, corvettes, submarines (procurement via BAAINBw), minesweepers, tenders
Coastguard and customs: Patrol boats, multi-purpose vessels for Federal Police Maritime and customs administration
Research vessels: Polar research vessels (AWI), survey vessels (BSH), fisheries research vessels (Thünen Institute)
Ferries: Public ferries for municipal harbours and federal waterways
Inland vessels: Icebreakers and survey vessels of the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration
Lifeboats and DLRG vessels: Procurement by coastguards and rescue organisations

Thresholds and Procedure Types

Shipbuilding contracts are works or supply contracts depending on the construction share. They almost always significantly exceed the EU thresholds. Defence procurement (warships) may be exempted from general procurement law under Article 346 TFEU or be subject to Directive 2009/81/EC (defence procurement).

Relevant CPV Codes for NACE 30.1

CPV Code	Title	Scope
35110000	Fire-fighting, rescue and safety equipment (ships)	Lifeboats, sea rescue
34510000	Ships	General ship procurement
34520000	Boats	Patrol boats, authority boats
34522000	Specialised boats	Customs boats, coastguard boats
34523000	Riverboats	Inland vessels, ferryboats
34211000	Trailers and boats (combined)	Inflatable boats for the Bundeswehr and fire services

Current tenders can be found on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and via the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment.

Who is NACE 30.1 relevant for in public procurement?

Public Contracting Authorities

The BAAINBw (Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support) is in Germany the principal contracting authority for naval vessels. The Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV) procures inland vessels and special-purpose vessels. Municipal ferry operators are contracting authorities for civilian passenger ferries. In Austria, the Federal Ministry of Defence does not procure surface vessels, but the river police procures patrol boats.

Companies and Bidders

Shipyards and shipbuilding companies must demonstrate for public contracts:

Technical capacity: Shipyard capacity, slipway or dry dock, evidence of comparable reference builds
Classification society: Lloyd's, DNV, GL or Bureau Veritas as certifying body
Security clearance: For defence contracts, security clearance under the German Security Clearance Act (SÜG)
Export control: Compliance with BAFA licensing obligations for defence-relevant ships

Frequently Asked Questions on NACE 30.1 and Public Tenders

Can shipbuilding contracts be exempted from procurement law?
Yes — under Article 346 TFEU, essential state security interests (warships, submarines) can justify an exemption from general procurement law. Alternatively, the Defence Procurement Directive (2009/81/EC) applies, which provides its own procedural rules.

What must be considered for the construction of public ferries under procurement law?
Public ferries fall under general procurement law. For municipal operators as utility contracting entities (waterborne local public transport), the thresholds of the Utilities Directive apply. The open or restricted procedure with prior competition is typical.

Are there European special programmes for public shipbuilding?
The European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) and the European Defence Fund (EDF) co-finance maritime procurement. EU funds entail obligations to procure EU-wide.

NACE 30.1 in context: Section C and Division 30

NACE C – Manufacturing: Parent section
NACE 30.2 – Manufacture of railway locomotives and rolling stock: Trains, metros, trams
NACE 30.3 – Manufacture of air and spacecraft: Military aircraft, helicopters, drones
NACE 30.4 – Manufacture of military fighting vehicles: Tanks, armoured vehicles

Last updated: April 2026
All information is provided without guarantee. For legally binding advice, please consult a law firm specialising in public procurement law.