• The equipment of the new construction vessels with propulsion systems suitable for the use of LNG as ship fuel of pure gas or for so-called dual fuel operation of the main propulsion
• The conversion or the replacement of conventional Diesel engines on board of existing vessels for the use of LNG as ship fuel of pure gas or for so-called dual fuel operation of the main propulsion
• When the equipment or conversion of the main propulsion is supported according to the letter a or the letter b, the costs for the equipment or conversion of auxiliary engines for LNG operation are also eligible.

The support is granted as investment aid, calculated based on the respective extra investment costs, that are needed for the use of ship fuel. The eligible costs are defined as follows:

• If it is possible to identify the costs of an investment for environmental protection as separate investment within the total investment costs, these environmental costs may also be considered as eligible costs
• In all other cases, the investment costs for the protection of the environment are being calculated by means of a comparison with a similar less environmentally friendly investment that could have been accomplished in the absence of aid. The difference between the costs of these two investments can be considered as environmental costs, and are thus eligible costs.

The costs, not directly related to the improvement of the environment, are not eligible.

The objective of the funding guideline is to support the introduction of liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the German navigation.

Through promotion, targeted incentives will be provided for the diversification of new fuels and the use of natural gas as ship fuel, especially in the area of the German ports and on European waters, in order to realize significant benefits for climate-, environment- and health protection.