Marine history in focus: Conference highlights global connections!

Marine history in focus: Conference highlights global connections!

On July 8, 2025, an important conference took place at the FernUniversität in Hagen that highlighted the influence of the sea on global history. The event was organized by the Society for Global History (GfGG) and was dedicated to the topic of “Maritime Global History”. The conference lasted three days and included a variety of presentations on various maritime topics, encouraging participants to reflect on the role of the seas in history and the present.

Prof. Christian Bunnenberg from the Ruhr University Bochum highlighted the growing influence of cruise tourism on coastal societies. In addition, Prof. Dr. Jürgen G. Nagel states that around 90 percent of global goods transport is carried out by sea, which underlines the fundamental importance of maritime routes for intercontinental trade. Historians who took part in the conference called for a move away from widespread “terracentrism” in historiography and emphasized the global context that the sea provides.

Diverse lectures and topics

In a total of six lecture blocks, various historical developments from the earliest dugout boats to modern cruise ships were discussed. The lectures made it clear that maritime connections were already of central importance in prehistoric times. Dr. Fabian Fechner also pointed out that the sea not only serves as a trade route, but also as a living space for ship crews.

A central topic of discussion was also the role of ports and port cities in history. Critical voices, such as Leo Ryczko's, addressed Eurocentrism in historical scholarship and highlighted the achievements of indigenous cultures. Climate change and associated ecological changes affecting maritime ecology were also addressed, highlighting the current challenges facing the oceans.

Politics of memory and the influence of tourism

Another important point of the discussion was the politics of remembrance in connection with places of injustice and slavery, presented by PD Dr. Ulrike Schmieder. The effects of mass tourism, particularly on indigenous maritime societies, were studied by Prof. Dr. Ulrike Nennstiel addresses the issue. The conference was offered in a hybrid format so that both on-site participants and digital viewers could follow the presentations.

Viewed in a larger context, it becomes clear that maritime history is closely linked to questions of globalization and deglobalization. Historians such as Michael North, who studies the role of the seas in world history, affirm that seafaring has shaped significant economic, cultural and political developments over centuries. Tragically, the conquest of the seas is often accompanied by suffering and negative effects such as slavery, disease and dangerous escape routes.

Today, human activities continue to have a devastating impact on maritime ecosystems, which are threatened by overfishing, oil spills and intensive tourism. The Mediterranean, once a central trading area, now also acts as a dangerous escape route for many people looking for safety and a better life. The conference in Hagen not only offered a platform for knowledge transfer, but also for reflection on the challenges facing the oceans and their users.

As Felipe Fernández-Armesto posits, globality may have emerged from salt water, but the maritime perspective has not yet acquired the necessary guiding role in historiography. This year's GfGG conference represented a step towards a deeper engagement with the sea as a central element of global history. Participants were able to exchange the latest research results and initiate interdisciplinary debates that should promote future perspectives on global maritime history.