The development of boats and ships has shaped mankind over the centuries, as it has made it possible to explore distant lands and establish trade relations. Unfortunately, however, this important milestone for mankind brings with it a major problem: the increasing pollution of the world's oceans. Boats and ships are also a major contributor to the formation of oil slicks and the accumulation of huge amounts of plastic waste in our oceans, which were once an endless source of inspiration and food. This poses a serious threat to the marine ecosystem and ultimately to us. The emission-free electric ship Yara Birkeland from Norway, the Pyxis Ocean with huge sails or the kite-powered ship Ville de Bordeaux, but also the freighter E-Ship 1 equipped with Flettner rotors, show that new, ecological developments are also a topical issue in the field of shipbuilding. In addition, projects such as The Ocean Clean Up, Everwave and SeeKuh look at how waste already in the sea can be collected and returned to the material cycle.

Take up the challenge of a cleaner environment and demonstrate in your contribution to this year's school competition "Sinking Ships" that you can build a ship that can not only meet the challenges of the load capacity, but also consists solely of materials that can be found in the yellow bin. This recycling concept helps to protect the oceans from further pollution and proves that innovation and environmental protection can go hand in hand. As a result, "Sinking Ships" is not just about the competition itself, but also about the message that we all have a responsibility for our planet and therefore also for our oceans. Good luck building your eco-friendly ship and competing!

Pupils from all general and vocational schools are eligible to take part. Both individual and group performances are permitted. Employees of the "Student Competition" project and their relatives are not eligible to take part.