Verein Hamburger Rheder (Hamburg Ship-owners Association) is the regional trade and employers’ association for ship-owning companies based in Hamburg, Germany.
Verein Hamburger Rheder (VHRh) is one of the oldest trade associations of the transport industry, a fact evident in the “antique” spelling of the German word “Rheder”. At the time VHRh was established (1837), ship owners in Germany were still called “Rheder” (rather than “Reeder” in modern German). And today’s abbreviation for a non-profit organisation, “e.V.” (eingetragener Verein, or “Registered Association”), had not been invented either. Instead, associations were recognisable by the added “r.V.” (rechtsfähiger Verein), meaning “Incorporated Association”. Even today, incorporated associations are not registered along with “standard” associations in a general register, but have a special status. In the case of Hamburg, they were for many decades overseen by the Chancelor of the Senate of the city state. In 2003, this responsibility was transferred to the Department of Legal Matters.
While the laws and the language have undergone many changes since our association was first established, its historic name has endured. Similarly, the allocation of internal responsibilities has largely remained unchanged over many decades. You will find more details on the “History”, “Committees” and “Services” pages.
Welcome to Verein Hamburger Rheder (r.V.)