The State-owned company "Deutsche Seerederei Rostock" (DSR) was founded in 1952 as the state shipping company of the GDR. With up to 200 ships, the DSR was responsible for all shipping operations in the GDR's foreign trade. The holiday ships "FRITZ HECKERT" and "VÖLKERFREUNDSCHAFT" also belonged to the DSR. Following German reunification and numerous reorganisations, Deutsche Seereederei GmbH still exists today with around 2000 employees. However, DSR has not operated any ships since 2010 and has instead successfully shifted its focus to the property and hotel business, including the Hotel Neptun in Warnemünde.