Following WWII, the Western Allies imposed strict restrictions on the building of new ships in both Germanys. The documentary depicts the efforts to rebuild and create new jobs at the collectively owned wharfs in Stralsund, Boizenburg, Wolgast and Damgarten, contrasting this situation with the dismantling of the West German shipping industries in Hamburg and Kiel. The documentary generally presents trade relationships between East and West Germany in a positive light and expresses the dream of once again becoming a single reunified country.